94PuPlutonium244[Rn] 5f⁶ 7s²
actinide

Plutonium

Plutonium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with symbol Pu and atomic number 94. It is an actinide metal of silvery-gray appearance that tarnishes when exposed to air, and forms a dull coating when oxidized. The element normally exhibits six allotropes and four oxidation states.

Electronic structure

A stylized shell model. Electrons are quantum objects, not particles following these literal paths. Sizes and motion are illustrative.

Electrons by shell
Electron configuration
5f6
7s2

86 is the [Rn] core total across six shells.

Properties

At a glance

Atomic number
94
Atomic mass
244 u
Phase
Solid
Density
19.816 g/cm³
Melting point
912.5 K
Boiling point
3,505 K
First ionization energy
584.7 kJ/mol
Electronegativity
1.28
Electron affinity
-48.33 kJ/mol
Molar heat capacity
35.5 J/(mol·K)
Period
7
Appearance
silvery white, tarnishing to dark gray in air

Conditions and isotopes affect measured properties. Some properties of short-lived elements are predicted. Electronegativity uses the Pauling scale.

Keep exploring

Explore the stories, imagery, and reference data in more depth. Properties with no value in the reference are marked unavailable.