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.