Uranium (U)

General Information

• Symbol: U
• Atomic Number: 92
• Atomic Weight: 238.02891 u
• Element Category: Actinide
• Group: N/A (Actinides series)
• Period: 7
• Block: f-block

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Silvery-gray metallic
• Density: 19.1 g/cm³
• Melting Point: 1132.2 °C (2070 °F)
• Boiling Point: 4131 °C (7468 °F)
• Phase at STP: Solid
• Electron Configuration: [Rn] 5f³ 6d¹ 7s²
• Oxidation States: +6 (most common), +5, +4, +3

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Uranium is reactive and forms a variety of compounds, primarily in the +6 oxidation state. It oxidizes easily in air, forming a layer of uranium oxide.
• Compounds: Forms compounds such as uranium dioxide (UO₂), uranium trioxide (UO₃), and uranium hexafluoride (UF₆).

Uses and Applications

• Nuclear Fuel: Used as a fuel in nuclear reactors due to its ability to undergo fission.
• Nuclear Weapons: Enriched uranium is used in the production of nuclear weapons.
• Radiation Shielding: Depleted uranium is used as a radiation shield due to its high density.
• Military Applications: Depleted uranium is used in armor-piercing ammunition and tank armor.

Occurrence and Extraction

• Natural Occurrence: Found in various minerals such as uraninite, pitchblende, and carnotite.
• Extraction: Extracted from uranium ores through processes involving crushing, leaching, and chemical separation.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Uranium has no stable isotopes.
• Radioactive Isotopes: The most common isotopes are Uranium-238 (99.2745% of natural uranium, half-life of 4.468 billion years), Uranium-235 (0.720% of natural uranium, half-life of 703.8 million years), and Uranium-234 (0.0055% of natural uranium, half-life of 245,500 years).

Safety and Handling

• Hazards: Uranium is both a radiological and chemical hazard. It can cause kidney damage and is a known carcinogen.
• Precautions: Handle with care, using appropriate protective equipment and working in well-ventilated, controlled environments. Proper disposal methods for radioactive materials should be followed.

History

• Discovery: Discovered by Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1789.
• Name Origin: Named after the planet Uranus, which had been discovered eight years earlier.

Additional Facts

• Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic
• Magnetic Properties: Paramagnetic
• Thermal Conductivity: 27.5 W/m·K
• Electrical Resistivity: 28.0 nΩ·m at 0°C

Summary

Uranium is a highly significant element, primarily known for its use in nuclear power and weapons. It is found in various minerals and is extracted for its fissionable properties. Discovered in 1789, uranium has both beneficial applications in energy production and hazardous implications due to its radioactivity.

• What is the atomic number of Uranium?

  • 92

• What is the symbol for Uranium?

  • U

• What is the atomic weight of Uranium?

  • 238.02891 u

• In which group of the periodic table is Uranium found?

  • Actinides series (no specific group)

• What period is Uranium in?

  • Period 7

• What block does Uranium belong to?

  • f-block

• What is the density of Uranium?

  • 19.1 g/cm³

• What is the melting point of Uranium?

  • 1132.2 °C (2070 °F)

• What is the boiling point of Uranium?

  • 4131 °C (7468 °F)

• What is the electron configuration of Uranium?

  • [Rn] 5f³ 6d¹ 7s²

• What are the common oxidation states of Uranium?

  • +6 (most common), +5, +4, +3

• What is the appearance of Uranium?

  • Silvery-gray metallic

• Is Uranium reactive with air?

  • Yes, it oxidizes easily.

• Name a compound of Uranium.

  • Uranium dioxide (UO₂)

• What is a common use of Uranium in nuclear fuel?

  • Used in nuclear reactors for its fissionable properties.

• How is Uranium used in nuclear weapons?

  • Enriched uranium is used in the production of nuclear weapons.

• What role does Uranium play in radiation shielding?

  • Depleted uranium is used due to its high density.

• How is Uranium used in the military?

  • Used in armor-piercing ammunition and tank armor.

• How is Uranium typically found in nature?

  • In minerals such as uraninite, pitchblende, and carnotite.

• What is the most common isotope of Uranium?

  • Uranium-238

• How is Uranium extracted?

  • Through processes involving crushing, leaching, and chemical separation.

• What safety hazard is associated with Uranium dust?

  • It is both a radiological and chemical hazard.

• Who discovered Uranium?

  • Martin Heinrich Klaproth

• Where does the name Uranium come from?

  • Named after the planet Uranus.

• What is the crystal structure of Uranium at room temperature?

  • Orthorhombic

• Is Uranium paramagnetic or diamagnetic at room temperature?

  • Paramagnetic

• What is the thermal conductivity of Uranium?

  • 27.5 W/m·K

• What is the electrical resistivity of Uranium at 0°C?

  • 28.0 nΩ·m

• What is the primary oxidation state of Uranium in its compounds?

  • +6

• Is Uranium found as a free element in nature?

  • No, it is found in minerals.

• What is the common name of Uranium hexafluoride?

  • UF₆

• What is a major application of Uranium in the energy industry?

  • Nuclear fuel for reactors.

• How does Uranium benefit the military industry?

  • Used in armor-piercing ammunition and tank armor.

• What is the melting point of Uranium in Kelvin?

  • 1405.4 K

• What group does Uranium belong to in the periodic table?

  • Actinides series

• What is the natural abundance of Uranium-235?

  • 0.720% of natural uranium.

• Can Uranium be used in high-temperature applications?

  • Yes, particularly in nuclear reactors.

• What is the key property that makes Uranium valuable in nuclear fuel?

  • Its ability to undergo fission.

• How is Uranium used in the chemical industry?

  • Mainly in research and specialized applications.

• What precautions should be taken when handling Uranium?

  • Use appropriate protective equipment to avoid inhalation or ingestion.