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Element story

Plutonium

Atomic number 94 means that every Plutonium nucleus contains 94 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Plutonium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 94 means that every Plutonium nucleus contains 94 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Plutonium.

Plutonium (Pu) is chemical element 94. It belongs to the actinoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in nuclear energy, space power systems and scientific research.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 94 means that every Plutonium nucleus contains 94 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Plutonium.

Keep exploring

→ Plutonium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

94PuPlutonium
Plutonium · Pu · Z = 94

Plutonium (Pu) is chemical element 94. It belongs to the actinoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Plutonium (Pu) is chemical element 94. It belongs to the actinoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in nuclear energy, space power systems and scientific research.

What its position in the table tells us

Plutonium sits in period 7 and the F block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.