Uranium and Plutonium

Definition

Uranium and Plutonium are radioactive elements used as fuel in nuclear reactors and in the production of nuclear weapons.

Analogy

Think of Uranium and Plutonium like extremely powerful batteries (nuclear fuel) that can power an entire city (nuclear reactor) or cause massive destruction (nuclear weapon).

Related terms

Radioactivity: The emission of ionizing radiation or particles caused by decay or disintegration of atomic nuclei. Both uranium and plutonium are radioactive.

Nuclear Fission: A reaction in which a nucleus is split into two smaller parts, releasing a large amount of energy. This process powers both nuclear reactors and bombs using uranium or plutonium.

Nuclear Reactor: A device used to initiate and control a self-sustained nuclear chain reaction, typically for generating electricity or for propulsion in submarines. They use uranium or plutonium as fuel.