Chapter 40, Problem 34A

Why are there no appreciable deposits of plutonium in Earth’s crust?

To determine

The reason for no appreciable deposits of Plutonium in Earth’s crust.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The fission of U-238 does not occur but when it is bombarded with neutrons, the nucleus of U-238 changes to U-239 by absorbing one neutron. U-239 changes into Neptunium by emitting one beta particle and further emission of one beta particle produces the plutonium.

The plutonium formed due to the emission of one beta particle from Neptunium does not remain in elemental form. It forms three compounds of plutonium and these are $\text{PuO}$ , ${\text{PuO}}_{\text{2}}$ and ${\text{Pu}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}.$ These forms of plutonium are chemically more stable than its elemental form.

Conclusion:

Thus, there are no appreciable deposits of plutonium in Earth’s crust because plutonium cannot remain stable in its elemental form.