Transuranium elements

Definition

Transuranium elements are chemical elements with atomic numbers greater than 92, which is the atomic number of uranium. They are typically synthetic and produced through nuclear reactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. All transuranium elements are radioactive.
2. They are produced artificially in particle accelerators or nuclear reactors.
3. The first transuranium element discovered was neptunium (Np) in 1940.
4. These elements have applications in nuclear medicine, space exploration, and as fuel for nuclear reactors.
5. Elements such as plutonium (Pu) and americium (Am) are examples of transuranium elements.

Review Questions

Related terms

Neptunium:

A transuranium element with atomic number 93; the first element beyond uranium in the periodic table.

Plutonium:

A transuranium element with atomic number 94; used as a fuel in nuclear reactors and an ingredient in nuclear weapons.

Particle Accelerator: A machine that accelerates charged particles to high speeds, often used to produce synthetic elements including transuraniums.