ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Actinides

Actinides are a bunch of materials that we use to make other things that are important to us, like energy and nuclear power. These materials are kind of like tiny, teeny-tiny beads that are too small for us to see with our eyes, but they do amazing things when we use them properly.

Now, these actinides are considered special, because they have a lot of different properties that make them unique from other types of materials we use. For example, they can be pretty dangerous and unsafe to use when we don't know what we're doing. But when we use them the right way, they can be extremely useful and beneficial to a lot of people.

To learn more about why actinides are so special, scientists study them in a laboratory using special tools and equipment. By studying these materials, we can learn how to use them in a safe and effective way in our everyday lives, whether it's for energy, medicine, or other important things we need.