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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.
nuclear energyspace power systemsscientific research
Standard atomic weightNo standard atomic weight
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.
Worth remembering
Plutonium is radioactive, so its chemistry cannot be separated from nuclear physics and radiation safety
Plutonium is radioactive, so its chemistry cannot be separated from nuclear physics and radiation safety