Plutonium is an interesting and unusual element. Its radioactive isotopes may be used for peaceful purposes, such as powering spacecraft, or to make nuclear weapons, such as the Trinity device and the bomb dropped on Nagasaki. Unlike most metals, plutonium increases density as it melts and has high electrical resistivity which increases with temperature. The oxidation states of the element produce beautiful colored solutions. The oxides and hydrides that form on the surface of pure samples in air are so pyrophoric that they spontaneously ignite, making the metal glow like a burning red ember.Photo: These solutions get their color from the oxidation states of plutonium. (Los Alamos Natl. Lab)See More About:
Plutonium is an interesting and unusual element. Its radioactive isotopes may be used for peaceful purposes, such as powering spacecraft, or to make nuclear weapons, such as the Trinity device and the bomb dropped on Nagasaki. Unlike most metals, plutonium increases density as it melts and has high electrical resistivity which increases with temperature. The oxidation states of the element produce beautiful colored solutions. The oxides and hydrides that form on the surface of pure samples in air are so pyrophoric that they spontaneously ignite, making the metal glow like a burning red ember.Photo: These solutions get their color from the oxidation states of plutonium. (Los Alamos Natl. Lab)Explore Chemistry
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