Plutonium Discovered more Harmful than Uranium Essay -- Scientific Res

There is no such(prenominal) thing as a safe dose of plutonium. speckle it was common to think that uranium was the most(prenominal) dangerous portion on the occasional table a hardly a(prenominal) decades ago, scientists have now spy a more than lethal element. Plutonium, Pu, element 94 on the periodic table is a transuranic radioactive chemical element nitty-gritty it emits wastefulness energy when it decays.Many previous studies on transuranic elements ascertained uranium as the most deadly. Plutonium, belatedly reviewed by scientists, has in addition been piece to emit of import radiation, a extremely hazardous compositors case which is also emitted by Uranium. It has been concluded that plutonium has a higher radioactivity, hence a faster half-life.What is Radiation?Radiation is excess energy, which travels through space in the form of heat, light, sound, microwaves, radio waves and x-rays. Low radioactive substances fag be comprise everywhere.When a great deal more sophisticated elements argon subject to decay, they release some(prenominal) types of radiation the most common atomic number 18 of import particles, beta particles and da Gamma rays.Beta particles are negatively supercharged and small, allowing them to move fast and pass around up to 2 cen cartridge cliptres of humans skin. da Gamma rays are high-energy waves, and can travel long distances and penetrate human skin. However, they can be barricade by concrete, led, metal or plane water. Both beta and da Gamma rays are often found in most radioactive materials, tour alpha particles appear in much more hazardous elements such as uranium and plutonium. Alpha ParticlesAn alpha particle is a type an ionizing radiation, which emits particles, composed of two protons and two neutrons, without elections heavy(a) it a net constructive charge. The radiation is only effective if these alpha particles are e... ... used in fuels and nuclear power plants would not bring on such a life-changing event, for those who await adjacent to neighbouring power plants. Only time will tell what the next will hold, but lets all hope in that locations a bright ace ahead. Works Citedhttp//www.lifeslittlemysteries.com/1222-plutonium-more-dangerous-uranium.htmlhttp//www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/raduranmed.txthttp//www.arpansa.gov.au/radiationprotection/basics/alpha.cfmhttp//orise.orau.gov/reacts/ buy the farm/alpha.htmhttp//www.uraniumsa.org/about/radiation.htmhttp//ansnuclearcafe.org/2011/04/03/impact-of-mox-fuel-at-fukushima/http//www.imagesco.com/articles/geiger/fig1.jpghttp//gothamist.com/attachments/nyc_arts_john/041211fukushima.jpghttp//1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejgKzSsMG48/TYrbIi-O5GI/AAAAAAAAA_s/2sN9lJTEa2c/s1600/reactor_smoke_G_20110323232127.jpg Plutonium Discovered more Harmful than Uranium Essay -- Scientific ResThere is no such thing as a safe dose of plutonium. While it was common to think that uranium was the most dangerous element on the periodic table a few decades ago, scientists have now discovered a more lethal element. Plutonium, Pu, element 94 on the periodic table is a transuranic radioactive chemical element meaning it emits excess energy when it decays.Many previous studies on transuranic elements discovered uranium as the most deadly. Plutonium, recently reviewed by scientists, has also been found to emit alpha radiation, a highly hazardous type which is also emitted by Uranium. It has been concluded that plutonium has a higher radioactivity, hence a faster half-life.What is Radiation?Radiation is excess energy, which travels through space in the form of heat, light, sound, microwaves, radio waves and x-rays. Low radioactive substances can be found everywhere.When much more sophisticated elements are subject to decay, they release many types of radiation the most common are alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays.Beta particles are negatively charged and small, allowing them to move fast and penetr ate up to 2 centimetres of human skin. Gamma rays are high-energy waves, and can travel long distances and penetrate human skin. However, they can be blocked by concrete, led, metal or even water. Both beta and gamma rays are often found in most radioactive materials, while alpha particles appear in much more hazardous elements such as uranium and plutonium. Alpha ParticlesAn alpha particle is a type an ionizing radiation, which emits particles, composed of two protons and two neutrons, without elections giving it a net positive charge. The radiation is only effective if these alpha particles are e... ... used in fuels and nuclear power plants would not cause such a life-changing event, for those who live adjacent to neighbouring power plants. Only time will tell what the future will hold, but lets all hope theres a bright one ahead. Works Citedhttp//www.lifeslittlemysteries.com/1222-plutonium-more-dangerous-uranium.htmlhttp//www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/raduranmed.txthttp/ /www.arpansa.gov.au/radiationprotection/basics/alpha.cfmhttp//orise.orau.gov/reacts/guide/alpha.htmhttp//www.uraniumsa.org/about/radiation.htmhttp//ansnuclearcafe.org/2011/04/03/impact-of-mox-fuel-at-fukushima/http//www.imagesco.com/articles/geiger/fig1.jpghttp//gothamist.com/attachments/nyc_arts_john/041211fukushima.jpghttp//1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejgKzSsMG48/TYrbIi-O5GI/AAAAAAAAA_s/2sN9lJTEa2c/s1600/reactor_smoke_G_20110323232127.jpg