Curious About What Does Plutonium taste like? It’s Not Candy!
The curiosity to know what does plutonium taste like can be seen from the number of deaths arising from curiosity about it. Someone lucky enough has eaten it.
Plutonium, Credit: Store norske leksikon
Whether it is the oldest water on Earth, lava or slushy remains of an ancient corpse found inside a giant black sarcophagus, there is only one question in mind of the public: what does plutonium taste like ?
It turns out that this question extends into deadly radioactive metals. Many people have been recently searching for ‘’What does plutonium taste like?’’ on the internet giving bizarre Google search results. Sour and sweet tasting notes, according to the screenshot probably overpowering “I will soon be dead” umami are its components.
So, is the caramel flavored candy possibly made out of plutonium? The answer lies with Google result which seems to be based on a review posted by customers on a website concerning Plutonium Pear Nuclear Energy Powder.
No surprises here as plutonium is usually described as having a metallic taste rather than pear flavor. How do we know this? One man actually tasted it; Donald F. Mastick, an American chemist.
Once working on the Manhattan Project, a vial of plutonium chloride dissolved in acid burst and Mastick had some of it go into his mouth. He got a taste of both acid and metals. It was not exactly a good scenario.
He opened his mouth and radiation detectors went off the chart; traces of plutonium could be detected in his urine for several years afterward. They handled the matter by pumping out his stomach then. Since it’s valuable, they recovered from his stomach contents so that it can be used again in subsequent experiments
The Taste Finder: Why Are We So Obsessed?
The reason why people would like to know what does plutonium taste like? This falls under humankind’s general quest to understand dangerous substances on earth. There is something about finding out what these things are really like, close up; ancient poisons or radioactive metals just to mention a couple. Maybe there is some kind of thrill-seeking involved or perhaps just the weirdness associated with unfamiliarity.
What Exactly Is Plutonium?
Plutonium is an enormous radioactive metal. It is not something you would find in the grocery aisle of a kitchen store or at a high-end restaurant. Discovered in 1940, this element has been instrumental in nuclear weapons and power generation. But apart from its scientific and military applications, plutonium is very poisonous. A small amount of it can cause severe radiation poisoning.
Does Plutonium Have a Candy-Like Taste?
The short answer is No! Plutonium doesn’t taste like candy. The confusion probably stems from some misleading search results as well as the name of an interestingly named candy product called, “Plutonium Pear Nuclear Energy Powder”. In reality though, according to Mastick (2003), plutonium tastes metallic and acidic but never sweet or fruity.
The Dangers of Tasting Plutonium
Tasting plutonium—really? That’s not what anyone should ever do. Risks are enormous in this case. Radiation poisoning isn’t a joke; it may lead to serious health problems or death. Mastick got into a critical medical situation by mistakenly ingesting plutonium through her mouth. The notion of tasting plutonium should remain an object of wonderment rather than practice.
Historical tales and Plutonium
This was a time of great scientific discovery and significant risk, during which Mastick, a member of the Manhattan Project, was operating. It is often the case that several scientists working on this project were exposed to such hazardous materials without even knowing about their health consequences in future. Among many stories like Mastick’s unfortunate tasting incident are other narrations that show how these nuclear pioneers faced danger.
Why Tasting Like Metal?
Metals always have its own peculiar taste just as they do with plutonium. The metallic taste experienced by Mastick can be explained by considering chemical properties of plutonium itself. Once it is dissolved in acid as in the case of Mastick, the taste becomes more pronounced. Many metals have this metal flavor but it is extremely dangerous when associated with plutonium because it is radioactive.
Plutonium and Public Curiosity
The internet has made answering questions like “What does plutonium taste like?” an easier task for anyone who wants to find out about anything new. This popularity means that people are increasingly interested in knowledge that is both strange and dangerous. Fascinating though this may be, one must remember how perilous substances could actually turn out to be at times.
The Role of Myths and Misconceptions
Online misinformation can rapidly spread about plutonium and other harmful substances. This is one such myth that talked about the taste of plutonium like candy. To counter these myths and get to know the truth about such items, it is important to rely on scientific information and those who have been their first hand witnesses including Mastick.
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Conclusion: Curiosity with Caution
Curiosity is a very powerful force in human beings. It leads us to explore, uncover, and comprehend our surroundings. However, when dealing with substances like plutonium, caution is most important. The story of Mastick reminds everyone of how dangerous it can be. Therefore, while it seems intriguing to consider what does plutonium taste like, this remains a test for the imagination only.
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