Plutonium
noun
A heavy radioactive chemical element used in nuclear reactors and bombs.
He was studying the properties of plutonium in his lab.
Often appears as...
- plutonium isotope
- plutonium core
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A heavy radioactive chemical element used in nuclear reactors and bombs.
He was studying the properties of plutonium in his lab.
Often appears as...
- plutonium isotope
- plutonium core
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Nuclear Associations
Plutonium is often linked to nuclear energy and weapons; understand its controversial nature.
The debate over nuclear energy revolves around materials like plutonium.
Pro Tip 2/3Health Hazard
Be aware that plutonium is toxic; its mention may evoke concerns about radiation risks.
The container was labeled as hazardous due to the plutonium inside.
Pro Tip 3/3Scientific Context
Plutonium is a scientific term; use it in formal and technical contexts, such as research discussions.
Our physics paper compared plutonium to other transuranic elements.
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Video examples
How civilization could...
some genius figures out that it's possible to create a nuclear chain reaction and then realizes that this could lead to the bomb. And we do some more work, it turns out that what you require to make a nuclear bomb is highly enriched uranium or plutonium, which are very difficult materials to get. You need ultracentrifuges,
Video examples
Taylor Wilson: My...
But I'm not really concerned about the fuel. You can run these off -- they're really hungry, they really like down-blended weapons pits, so that's highly enriched uranium and weapons-grade plutonium that's been down-blended. It's made into a grade where it's not usable for a nuclear weapon,
Video examples
How fear of nuclear...
What we find is the only way we know how to get rid large numbers of nuclear weapons is by using the plutonium in the warheads as fuel in our nuclear power plants. And so, if you are wanting to get the world rid of nuclear weapons, then we're going to need a lot more nuclear power.
Video examples
Irwin Redlener: How to...
There are many, many sites where warheads are stored and, in fact, lots of sites where fissionable materials, like highly enriched uranium and plutonium, are absolutely not safe. They're available to be bought, stolen, whatever. They're acquirable, let me put it that way.
Video examples
Generating Power on Mars...
and so you break apart the hydrogen and the oxygen and now you've got this fuel source and that can help sustain you and keep you in this place other type of resources could be nuclear you know by using plutonium or small reactors you can actually generate like we do on
Video examples
What if waste did not...
systems we find ourselves with people saying let's be carbon free and what does it mean to be free of something we're selling what we're not we are completely undefined it would be like selling you peanut butter and the label says plutonium free what good is this as
Video examples
How do nuclear power...
fission products, and plutonium, a radioactive material not found in nature. This mix must be isolated from the environment until it has all safely decayed. Many countries propose deep time storage in tunnels drilled far underground,
Video examples
Surviving a nuclear...
now in Russia there are many many sites where warheads are stored and in fact lots of sites were fissionable materials like highly enriched uranium and plutonium are absolutely not safe they are available to be bought stolen
Video examples
A Nuclear-Powered Space...
Three heavily shielded thermo-electric generators transformed the heat of radioactive decay into electrical power. They hold iridium-coated plutonium pellets, lasting for decades, but potentially deadly to life.
Video examples
Billy Graham:...
He didn't have a doctor's degree, because he said nobody was qualified to give him one. But he made this statement. He said, "It's easier to denature plutonium than to denature the evil spirit of man."
Video examples
How civilization could...
some genius figures out that it's possible to create a nuclear chain reaction and then realizes that this could lead to the bomb. And we do some more work, it turns out that what you require to make a nuclear bomb is highly enriched uranium or plutonium, which are very difficult materials to get. You need ultracentrifuges,
Video examples
Taylor Wilson: My...
But I'm not really concerned about the fuel. You can run these off -- they're really hungry, they really like down-blended weapons pits, so that's highly enriched uranium and weapons-grade plutonium that's been down-blended. It's made into a grade where it's not usable for a nuclear weapon,
Video examples
How fear of nuclear...
What we find is the only way we know how to get rid large numbers of nuclear weapons is by using the plutonium in the warheads as fuel in our nuclear power plants. And so, if you are wanting to get the world rid of nuclear weapons, then we're going to need a lot more nuclear power.
Video examples
Irwin Redlener: How to...
There are many, many sites where warheads are stored and, in fact, lots of sites where fissionable materials, like highly enriched uranium and plutonium, are absolutely not safe. They're available to be bought, stolen, whatever. They're acquirable, let me put it that way.
Video examples
Generating Power on Mars...
and so you break apart the hydrogen and the oxygen and now you've got this fuel source and that can help sustain you and keep you in this place other type of resources could be nuclear you know by using plutonium or small reactors you can actually generate like we do on
Video examples
What if waste did not...
systems we find ourselves with people saying let's be carbon free and what does it mean to be free of something we're selling what we're not we are completely undefined it would be like selling you peanut butter and the label says plutonium free what good is this as
Video examples
How do nuclear power...
fission products, and plutonium, a radioactive material not found in nature. This mix must be isolated from the environment until it has all safely decayed. Many countries propose deep time storage in tunnels drilled far underground,
Video examples
Surviving a nuclear...
now in Russia there are many many sites where warheads are stored and in fact lots of sites were fissionable materials like highly enriched uranium and plutonium are absolutely not safe they are available to be bought stolen
Video examples
A Nuclear-Powered Space...
Three heavily shielded thermo-electric generators transformed the heat of radioactive decay into electrical power. They hold iridium-coated plutonium pellets, lasting for decades, but potentially deadly to life.
Video examples
Billy Graham:...
He didn't have a doctor's degree, because he said nobody was qualified to give him one. But he made this statement. He said, "It's easier to denature plutonium than to denature the evil spirit of man."
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
James Buchan
British Novelist
For 50 years, nuclear power stations have produced three products which only a lunatic could want: bomb-explosive plutonium, lethal radioactive waste and electricity so dear it has to be heavily subsidised. They leave to future generations the task, and most of the cost, of making safe sites that have been polluted half-way to eternity.
Quote examples
Sam Kean
American Writer
Unlike uranium, plutonium was created in an American lab in 1940, but scientists soon realized that it could produce even wilder chain reactions and even bigger explosions. In fact, fearing another country would create it, too, the American government went to great lengths to keep even the existence of plutonium a secret.
Quote examples
Joe Sestak
American Politician
I believe we should be investing in the potential of nuclear technology based on thorium, to end the use of plutonium and lead to much safer nuclear power plants, less toxic nuclear waste, and less opportunities for nuclear weapons proliferation.
Quote examples
Barton Gellman
American Journalist
Pakistan has dozens of laboratories and production and storage sites scattered across the country. After developing warheads with highly enriched uranium, it has more recently tried to do the same with more-powerful and compact plutonium.
Quote examples
David R. Brower
American Environmentalist
There are many different kinds of radioactive waste and each has its own half-life so, just to be on the safe side and to simplify matters, I base my calculations on the worst one and that's plutonium.
Quote examples
Walter Matthau
American Actor
Every actor looks all his life for a part that will combine his talents with his personality... 'The Odd Couple' was mine. That was the plutonium I needed. It all started happening after that.
Quote examples
Jimmy Fallon
American Comedian
Researches at Yale found a connection between brain cancer and work environment. The No. 1 most dangerous job for developing brain cancer? Plutonium hat model.
Quote examples
David R. Brower
American Environmentalist
Once we open the door to the plutonium economy, we expose ourselves to absolutely terrible, horrifying risks from these people.
Quote examples
Mordechai Vanunu
Israeli Scientist
My job was to produce plutonium that was used for atomic bomb.
Quote examples
James Buchan
British Novelist
For 50 years, nuclear power stations have produced three products which only a lunatic could want: bomb-explosive plutonium, lethal radioactive waste and electricity so dear it has to be heavily subsidised. They leave to future generations the task, and most of the cost, of making safe sites that have been polluted half-way to eternity.
Quote examples
Sam Kean
American Writer
Unlike uranium, plutonium was created in an American lab in 1940, but scientists soon realized that it could produce even wilder chain reactions and even bigger explosions. In fact, fearing another country would create it, too, the American government went to great lengths to keep even the existence of plutonium a secret.
Quote examples
Joe Sestak
American Politician
I believe we should be investing in the potential of nuclear technology based on thorium, to end the use of plutonium and lead to much safer nuclear power plants, less toxic nuclear waste, and less opportunities for nuclear weapons proliferation.
Quote examples
Barton Gellman
American Journalist
Pakistan has dozens of laboratories and production and storage sites scattered across the country. After developing warheads with highly enriched uranium, it has more recently tried to do the same with more-powerful and compact plutonium.
Quote examples
David R. Brower
American Environmentalist
There are many different kinds of radioactive waste and each has its own half-life so, just to be on the safe side and to simplify matters, I base my calculations on the worst one and that's plutonium.
Quote examples
Walter Matthau
American Actor
Every actor looks all his life for a part that will combine his talents with his personality... 'The Odd Couple' was mine. That was the plutonium I needed. It all started happening after that.
Quote examples
Jimmy Fallon
American Comedian
Researches at Yale found a connection between brain cancer and work environment. The No. 1 most dangerous job for developing brain cancer? Plutonium hat model.
Quote examples
David R. Brower
American Environmentalist
Once we open the door to the plutonium economy, we expose ourselves to absolutely terrible, horrifying risks from these people.
Quote examples
Mordechai Vanunu
Israeli Scientist
My job was to produce plutonium that was used for atomic bomb.
Example 1 of 9
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