Element 94
Plutonium
Actinides
Plutonium (Pu) is in the f-block of the periodic table — group 3, period 7.
Plutonium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with symbol Pu and atomic number 94.
Key data
- Atomic number
- 94
- Atomic mass
- 244.000 u
- Group / Period
- 3 / 7
- Block
- f-block
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Density
- 19.816 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 639.4 °C
- Boiling point
- 3231.8 °C
- Electron configuration
- [Rn] 5f6 7s2
Periodic table block
Plutonium is in the f-block (group 3, period 7). Elements land in the f-block when their highest-energy electrons fill an f subshell — these are the lanthanides and actinides shown beneath the main table.
New to this? Periodic table blocks explained: s, p, d, and f
Common uses
- •Nuclear weapons
- •Radioisotope batteries
- •Curiosity rover power
Discovery
Year: 1940
Discovered by: Glenn T. Seaborg
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic number of Plutonium?
Plutonium has atomic number 94. Its symbol is Pu and its atomic mass is 244 u.
What category of element is Plutonium?
Plutonium is classified as actinides. It sits in group 3, period 7 of the periodic table.
What block of the periodic table is Plutonium in?
Plutonium is in the f-block (group 3, period 7). Its highest-energy electrons occupy the f subshell — you can see this in its electron configuration, [Rn] 5f6 7s2.
What is Plutonium used for?
Common uses of Plutonium include: Nuclear weapons, Radioisotope batteries, Curiosity rover power.
When was Plutonium discovered?
Plutonium was discovered in 1940 by Glenn T. Seaborg.
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