Plutonium, a radioactive chemical element with the symbol Pu and atomic number 94, was first discovered in 1940 and has since become an important topic in science education. This guide aims to help teachers navigate the complex world of plutonium by providing an overview of its properties, history, applications, and safety precautions when teaching about this fascinating element.
1. The Basics of Plutonium
Begin by introducing students to the fundamentals of plutonium:
– Teach them that plutonium is a transuranic element – an element with a higher atomic number than uranium.
– Explain that it is part of the actinide series and is a heavy metal.
– Highlight that plutonium has several isotopes, with Pu-239 and Pu-238 being the most widely discussed due to their nuclear capabilities.
2. Discovery and History
Teach your students the story behind plutonium’s discovery:
– Introduce them to American chemists Glenn Seaborg, Edwin McMillan, Joseph Kennedy, and Arthur Wahl, who first produced plutonium in 1940 by bombarding uranium-238 with deuterons.
– Discuss how this discovery contributed to the Manhattan Project and the development of atomic bombs during World War II.
3. Applications of Plutonium
Demonstrate practical uses of plutonium to students:
– Focus on its significance as a fuel in nuclear reactors and power plants.
– Describe how radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) use Pu-238 to generate electricity in spacecraft like NASA’s Voyager missions, New Horizons probe, and Mars rovers.
4. Safety Precautions and Environmental Concerns
Emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting safety precautions when handling or studying plutonium:
– Elaborate on how improper handling can lead to radiation exposure.
– Discuss pollution caused by nuclear accidents, such as the Chernobyl disaster and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
– Educate students on the potential consequences of nuclear proliferation and the importance of nuclear disarmament for global security.
5. Learning Activities
Engage your students with interactive learning experiences:
– Instead of using real plutonium, use simulations or interactive computer models to explore its properties and reactions.
– Encourage group discussions and debates on ethical concerns surrounding plutonium use in warfare and energy production.
– Introduce students to prominent figures in nuclear science who have dealt with plutonium-related research, like Marie Curie, Lise Meitner, Albert Einstein, and J. Robert Oppenheimer.
