Plutonium

/pluːˈtoʊniəm/ noun

Definition

A highly toxic radioactive metal used in nuclear weapons and nuclear power, element 94 on the periodic table.

Etymology

Named in 1940 by Glenn Seaborg after the planet Pluto (which itself was named after the Roman god of the underworld). Following the pattern of uranium (from Uranus) and neptunium (from Neptune).

Kelly Says

Plutonium was named after Pluto, the god of the underworld, and that's perfectly fitting—it's one of Earth's most deadly materials, invisible, radioactive, and toxic, basically a poison from the depths. Scientists chose the name beautifully.

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