Uranium
⚛️ In Your World
Uranium is the most famous radioactive element and the primary fuel for nuclear power plants. The isotope uranium-235 is one of the few elements that can easily sustain a nuclear fission chain reaction, releasing tremendous amounts of energy. This same property makes it a key component in nuclear weapons. Depleted uranium, which is much less radioactive, is incredibly dense and used for armor-piercing ammunition and as radiation shielding.
📖 The Discovery Story
Uranium was discovered in 1789 by German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth while analyzing the mineral pitchblende. He named the new element "uranium" in honor of the planet Uranus, which had been discovered just eight years earlier. For over a century, it was used primarily as a colorant for glass and ceramics. Its radioactivity was not discovered until 1896 by Henri Becquerel, a discovery that opened the door to the nuclear age.
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 1132.2 °C / 2070 °F |
| Boiling Point | 4131 °C / 7468 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Rn] 5f³6d¹7s² |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.00027% |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
Uranium is both radioactive and chemically toxic. Inhaling or ingesting uranium compounds can cause kidney damage and increase the risk of cancer. Handling uranium requires strict safety protocols and shielding to protect against radiation exposure, particularly for enriched uranium used in reactors and weapons.