Plutonium-239


Plutonium-239 is a radioactive isotope of plutonium that is commonly used as a fuel in nuclear reactors and as a component in nuclear weapons. It is produced by irradiating natural uranium with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. Plutonium-239 undergoes fission when bombarded with neutrons, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation. This energy can be harnessed to generate electricity in a nuclear power plant or to create a powerful explosion in a nuclear weapon. However, plutonium-239 is also highly toxic and poses a significant risk to human health if it is released into the environment. Therefore, it must be handled with extreme care and stored in secure facilities.


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