Plutonium (Noun)
Meaning
A solid silvery grey radioactive transuranic element whose atoms can be split when bombarded with neutrons; found in minute quantities in uranium ores but is usually synthesized in nuclear reactors; 13 isotopes are known with the most important being plutonium 239.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Plutonium is one of the most toxic substances known to man and is highly regulated due to its potential for nuclear proliferation.
- The core of the reactor began to melt down, releasing a cloud of radioactive plutonium into the surrounding environment.
- The nuclear power plant used plutonium 239 as fuel, which was produced through a complex series of chemical reactions in the on-site fuel fabrication facility.
- Scientists at the research laboratory were studying the properties of plutonium as part of a top-secret government project to develop new nuclear technologies.
- Following the accident, emergency responders had to be extremely careful to avoid any contact with the highly radioactive plutonium that had spilled on the ground.