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uranium [U]
Named after the planet Uranus. Discovered in 1789 by German chemist Martin J Klaproth. First isolated in 1841 by French chemist Eugene M Peligot
Occurrence:
1) exists naturally as a mixture of 3 isotopes of mass # 234, 235 & 238 in the proportions 0.006%, 0.71% & 99.28%
2) occurs in several minerals including pitchblende, uranite, & carnotite
3) uranium 238 is abundant in the earth's crust
Characteristics:
1) silvery heavy radioactive metallic element
2) polyvalent
3) toxic: exposure may result in irreversible kidney disease
4) carcinogenic
Uses:
1) U-235 isotope is used to power nuclear generators
-> a uranium sample must be turned into UF6 to separate the fission isotope U-235 from the more abundant U-238
2) in a breeder reactor, U-238 can capture a neutron & undergo negative beta-decay to become Pu-239, which is used to work turbines & generate electrical power
3) uranium compounds were used for centuries to color glass
Related
periodic table
uranium measurement
General
actinide
radioactive element
Properties
SIZE: AW = 238.03
atomic number
VALUE: 92
VALENCE: RN 5F3 6D1 7S2
Database Correlations
PUBCHEM cid=23989
References
- Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam-
Webster Inc. Springfield, MA 1990
- Chemical & Engineering News, Sept 8, 2003