Plutonium (Pu)
Plutonium is element 94, a actinide in period 7 of the periodic table. At room temperature it is a solid.
Electron configuration [Rn] 5f6 7s2
Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 32, 24, 8, 2
Plutonium data
| Atomic number | 94 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Pu |
| Atomic mass | [244] (mass number of the longest-lived isotope) |
| Category | Actinide |
| Group | — (f-block) |
| Period | 7 |
| Block | f |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 913 K (639.9 °C) |
| Boiling point | 3503 K (3229.9 °C) |
| Density | 19.816 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.28 |
| Atomic radius | — |
| 1st ionization energy | 585 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | — |
| Oxidation states | +3, +4, +5, +6, +7 |
| Common ion charge | 4+ |
| Discovered | 1940 |
Orbital diagram
Each box is one orbital holding up to two electrons of opposite spin. Following Hund’s rule, electrons spread out singly across a subshell before pairing.
Work through plutonium’s configuration and its ions →
Where plutonium sits
Plutonium belongs to the actinides. Its Pauling electronegativity of 1.28 is mid-range; see the electronegativity chart and periodic trends for context. To use its mass in a calculation, try the molar mass calculator.
Plutonium FAQ
What is the electron configuration of plutonium?
Plutonium (Z = 94) has the configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p6 5f6 7s2. In noble-gas shorthand that is [Rn] 5f6 7s2.
How many valence electrons does plutonium have?
2 (2 in the outer s subshell).
What is the atomic mass of plutonium?
Plutonium has no stable isotopes. Its most stable known isotope has mass number 244, so tables list [244].
Is plutonium a metal?
Yes. Plutonium is a actinide.
What is the charge of a plutonium ion?
Plutonium most commonly forms Pu4+.