Difference between revisions of "Uranium"
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'''Uranium''' (U) is a heavy, naturally [[radioactive]], [[metal]]lic [[element]] with an [[atomic number]] of 92. Its two principally occurring isotopes are uranium-235 and uranium-238. Uranium-235 is indispensable to the nuclear industry because it is the only [[isotope]] existing in nature, that is fissionable by thermal [[neutron]]s. Uranium-238 is also important because it absorbs neutrons to produce a [[radioactive]] isotope that subsequently decays to the isotope [[plutonium]]-239, which also is [[fission]]able by thermal neutrons. | '''Uranium''' (U) is a heavy, naturally [[radioactive]], [[metal]]lic [[element]] with an [[atomic number]] of 92. Its two principally occurring isotopes are uranium-235 and uranium-238. Uranium-235 is indispensable to the nuclear industry because it is the only [[isotope]] existing in nature, that is fissionable by thermal [[neutron]]s. Uranium-238 is also important because it absorbs neutrons to produce a [[radioactive]] isotope that subsequently decays to the isotope [[plutonium]]-239, which also is [[fission]]able by thermal neutrons. | ||
| − | "Depleted" Uranium is one of the densest materials known to man; As such, the United States of America uses it for bullets and tank armor. There are no known health risks stemming from exposure to it. | + | "Depleted" Uranium is one of the densest materials known to man; As such, the United States of America uses it for bullets and tank armor. There are no known serious health risks stemming from external exposure to it.<ref>http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/07/050724094117.htm</ref><ref>http://web.ead.anl.gov/uranium/guide/depletedu/health/index.cfm</ref> |
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <small><references/></small> | ||
[[Category:Elements]] | [[Category:Elements]] | ||
[[category:energy]] | [[category:energy]] | ||
Revision as of 19:26, May 9, 2008
| Uranium | |
|---|---|
| Properties | |
| Atomic symbol | U |
| Atomic number | 92 |
| Classification | Metallic |
| Atomic mass | 238.02891 amu |
| Other Information | |
| Date of discovery | 1789 |
| Name of discoverer | Martin J. Klaproth |
| Name origin | From the planet Uranus. |
| Uses | For many centuries it was used as a pigment for glass. Now it is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors and in nuclear weapons. Depleted Uranium is used in casings of armor piercing arterial shells, armor plating on tanks and as ballast in the wings of some large aircraft. |
| Obtained from | Primary uranium bearing ores are uraninite, autunite, carnotite, samarskite and torbernite. |
Uranium (U) is a heavy, naturally radioactive, metallic element with an atomic number of 92. Its two principally occurring isotopes are uranium-235 and uranium-238. Uranium-235 is indispensable to the nuclear industry because it is the only isotope existing in nature, that is fissionable by thermal neutrons. Uranium-238 is also important because it absorbs neutrons to produce a radioactive isotope that subsequently decays to the isotope plutonium-239, which also is fissionable by thermal neutrons.
"Depleted" Uranium is one of the densest materials known to man; As such, the United States of America uses it for bullets and tank armor. There are no known serious health risks stemming from external exposure to it.[1][2]