Explain Science

Plutonium is a highly radioactive metal that was discovered in the 1940s. It is part of a group of elements known as actinides and is created by the nuclear fission of uranium in nuclear reactors and in nuclear weapons.

Plutonium’s most important use is as fuel for nuclear reactors where it undergoes fission, releasing energy in the process. However, Plutonium is incredibly toxic and can cause a range of health problems if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin, even in small amounts. Despite this danger, it has also been used in nuclear weapons due to its ability to undergo rapid fission, leading to a powerful explosion.