Question: Consider the following statements regarding the discovery of new, stable Plutonium:
(1) Researchers have discovered a stable form of plutonium, a radioactive chemical famously unstable for transport, storage and disposal.
(2) This new and accidental discovery could lead to new ways to tackle some of the challenges in handling the powerful compound.
From the above correct statement/s is/are:
(a) Only(1)
(b) Only (2)
(c) Both(1) and (2)
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c)
Related facts:
- On 20th October 2019, a team of scientists has discovered a new, stable form of plutonium.
- Plutonium is a radioactive chemical element with the symbol Pu and atomic number 94.
- The team of scientists led by Kristina Kvashnina at the Helmholtz Centre Dresden-Rossendorf.
Quality of New Plutonium:
- The famously unstable element is tricky to transport, store and dispose of, but the find could lead to new ways to tackle those problems.
Impact of Plutonium waste with their storage:
- The plutonium waste produced by nuclear power plants is securely stored deep underground; it can eventually leak out into the surrounding environment.
- This happens when waste interacts with materials in the ground including clay and mineral ores to form suspended liquid mixtures.
- The current discovery could provide new and crucial information that could help scientists predict the changing properties of harmful nuclear waste over millions of years.
Current Action Plan:
- Plutonium research today is focussed on ensuring scientists learn as much as we can about creating, using, transporting, storing and disposing of plutonium as safely as possible.
Links:
https://physicsworld.com/a/surprisingly-stable-plutonium-compound-could-affect-nuclear-waste-storage/
https://newatlas.com/science/new-stable-form-plutonium-discovered/
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/new-stable-form-of-radioactive-plutonium-accidentally-discovered-by-nuclear-scientists-75285html81.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutonium