Uranium Case

Uranium

92

U

238.02891(3)

 

-“Uranium is a naturally-occurring radioactive element. Uranium is commonly found in very small amounts in rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals (including humans).

-Uranium is weakly radioactive and contributes to low levels of natural background radiation in the environment.

-The use of uranium, in its natural oxide form, dates back to at least 79 A.D., when it was used to add color to ceramic glazes. The German chemist Martin Klaproth is credited with discovering uranium in samples of the mineral pitchblende in 1789.

-It was first isolated as a metal in 1841 by Eugene-Melchior Peligot. Uranium was discovered to be radioactive in 1896 by French physicist Henri Becquerel. Through his work with uranium metals, he was the first to discover the process of radioactivity.”

1. http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/radionuclides/uranium.html

Properties:

-“When refined, uranium is a silvery white, weakly radioactive metal.

-Uranium metal has very high density, 65% more dense than lead.

-Uranium in ores can be extracted and chemically converted into uranium dioxide or other chemical forms usable in industry. Uranium found naturally has 3 different isotopes, U-238, U-235, and U-234. Other isotopes can be synthesized. All uranium isotopes are radioactive.

http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/radionuclides/uranium.html

http://www.chemicool.com/elements/uranium.html

-Today, uranium is considered as one of the most important elements for the future of the human race.

-Uranium occurs near the beginning of the actinide