Plutonium-239

Definition

Plutonium-239 is a radioactive isotope of the element plutonium. It is a key component in the production of nuclear weapons and is also used in some nuclear power reactors. Plutonium-239 is central to the topics of fission and nuclear weapons, as it is the primary fissile material used in the cores of nuclear weapons and in some nuclear reactor fuel.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Plutonium-239 is a fissile material, meaning it can sustain a nuclear chain reaction and be used as the primary explosive material in nuclear weapons.
2. The half-life of plutonium-239 is 24,100 years, making it a long-lived radioactive material that requires careful handling and storage.
3. Plutonium-239 is produced in nuclear reactors when uranium-238 absorbs a neutron and undergoes radioactive decay.
4. In nuclear weapons, plutonium-239 is used to create the critical mass necessary for a nuclear explosion, with the fission of plutonium-239 providing the primary energy release.
5. Plutonium-239 is also used as a fuel in some types of nuclear reactors, where its fission can be controlled to generate electricity.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of plutonium-239 in the process of nuclear fission.
  • Plutonium-239 is a fissile material, meaning it can sustain a nuclear chain reaction when a neutron is absorbed by its nucleus. This property makes plutonium-239 a key component in the process of nuclear fission, where the splitting of heavy atomic nuclei, such as plutonium-239, releases a large amount of energy. In nuclear reactors, the controlled fission of plutonium-239 is used to generate electricity, while in nuclear weapons, the uncontrolled fission of plutonium-239 provides the primary energy release that leads to a devastating explosion.
• Describe the role of plutonium-239 in the development and production of nuclear weapons.
  • Plutonium-239 is the primary fissile material used in the cores of nuclear weapons. Its ability to sustain a nuclear chain reaction when a neutron is absorbed allows for the creation of the critical mass necessary for a nuclear explosion. In the production of nuclear weapons, plutonium-239 is either produced in nuclear reactors or extracted from spent nuclear fuel. The fission of plutonium-239 provides the initial energy release that triggers the much more powerful fusion reaction in thermonuclear weapons, making it a crucial component in the development and manufacture of these devastating devices.
• Analyze the environmental and health concerns associated with the production, use, and disposal of plutonium-239.
  • The long half-life of plutonium-239, which is over 24,000 years, poses significant environmental and health risks. Improper handling, storage, or disposal of plutonium-239 can lead to radioactive contamination of the surrounding area, with the potential for long-term exposure and accumulation in the food chain. Inhalation or ingestion of plutonium-239 can also cause serious health problems, including increased cancer risk, organ damage, and genetic mutations. The production of plutonium-239 for nuclear weapons and reactors requires extensive safety measures and waste management protocols to mitigate these hazards. The long-term storage and disposal of plutonium-239 waste remains a significant challenge for the nuclear industry and governments worldwide.

Related terms

Fission: Fission is the process of splitting heavy atomic nuclei, such as uranium or plutonium, into lighter nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy in the process.

Nuclear Reactor: A nuclear reactor is a device used to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction, which can be used to generate electricity or produce isotopes for medical and industrial use.

Nuclear Weapon: A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion.