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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.
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"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.
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"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>
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==References==
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<small><references/></small>
    
[[Category:Elements]]
 
[[Category:Elements]]
 
[[category:energy]]
 
[[category:energy]]
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