There is no “safe dose” of plutonium. While a few decades ago it was common to think that uranium was the most dangerous element in the periodic table, now scientists have discovered a more lethal element. Plutonium, Pu, element 94 of the periodic table is a transuranic radioactive chemical element; which means it emits excess energy as it decays. Many previous studies on transuranic elements have found uranium to be the most deadly. Plutonium, recently examined by scientists, was found to emit alpha radiation, a highly dangerous type also emitted by uranium. It was concluded that plutonium has higher radioactivity, thus a faster half-life. What is radiation? Radiation is excess energy, which travels through space in the form of heat, light, sound, microwaves, radio waves and X-rays. Substances with low radioactivity are found everywhere. When much more sophisticated elements are subjected to decay, they release many types of radiation; the most common are alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays. Beta particles are small and negatively charged, allowing them to move quickly and penetrate up to 2 centimeters of human skin. Gamma rays are high-energy waves and can travel long distances and penetrate human skin. However, they can be blocked by concrete, LEDs, metals or even water. Both beta and gamma rays are often found in most radioactive materials, while alpha particles appear in much more dangerous elements such as uranium and plutonium. Alpha particles An alpha particle is an alpha particle such as ionizing radiation, which emits particles, composed of two protons and two neutrons, without elections; giving it a net positive charge. The radiation is only effective if these alpha particles are found in the center of paper, used in fuels, and nuclear power plants would not cause such a shocking event for those living adjacent to nearby power plants. Only time will tell what the future holds, but let's all hope there's a bright one ahead of us. Works Cited http://www.lifeslittlemysteries.com/1222-plutonium-more-dangerous-uranium.html http://www.dhss.delaware .gov/dhss/dph/files/raduranmed.txthttp://www.arpansa .gov.au/radiationprotection/basics/alpha.cfmhttp://orise.orau.gov/reacts/guide/alpha.htmhttp://www .uraniumsa.org/about/radiation.htmhttp://ansnuclearcafe.org/2011 /04/03/impact-of-mox-fuel-at-fukushima/http://www.imagesco.com/articles/geiger/fig1 .jpghttp://gothamist.com/attachments/nyc_arts_john/041211fukushima.jpghttp:/ /1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejgKzSsMG48/TYrbIi-O5GI/AAAAAAAAAA_s/2sN9lJTEa2c/s1600/reactor_smoke_G_20110323232127.jpg