Plutonium-238 in the context of "Radioisotope thermoelectric generator"

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⭐ Core Definition: Plutonium-238

Plutonium-238 (
Pu or Pu-238) is a radioactive isotope of plutonium that has a half-life of 87.7 years.

Plutonium-238 is a very powerful alpha emitter; as alpha particles are easily blocked, this makes the plutonium-238 isotope suitable for usage in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and radioisotope heater units. The density of plutonium-238 at room temperature is about 19.8 g/cc. The material will generate about 0.57 watts per gram of Pu.

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⭐ Core Definition: Plutonium-238
Plutonium-238 in the context of Decay heat

Plutonium-238 in the context of Decay heat

Decay heat is the heat released as a result of radioactive decay. This heat is produced as an effect of radiation on materials: the energy of the alpha, beta or gamma radiation is converted into the thermal movement of atoms.

Decay heat occurs naturally from decay of long-lived radioisotopes that are primordially present from the Earth's formation.

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