Plutonium

radioactive · metal · dangerous · element

Super Radioactive Metal. Plutonium is element number 94, a silvery-gray metal that can actually glow. It's so radioactive that it's one of the most dangerous substances known to humans, and scientists have to handle it with extreme care.

Shiny to Dull. When plutonium sits in air, it loses its shine and gets a dull, grayish coating. This happens because oxygen in the air reacts with the metal, kind of like how a shiny apple gets brown spots when it sits out too long.

Expands and Flakes. Plutonium can swell up to 70 percent bigger when it gets wet or oxidizes, which makes it crack and flake into a powder. That powder is especially dangerous because it can catch fire on its own without any spark needed.

Sneaky and Settling. If plutonium dust gets into your body, it can settle in your bones and stay there for a very long time, slowly damaging your health. This is why scientists treat plutonium with extreme respect and use special suits and equipment when working with it.

Many Forms. Plutonium can exist in six different arrangements, kind of like how water can be ice, liquid, or steam. It can also have four different chemical personalities depending on what other elements it bonds with.