Difference between revisions of "Uranium"
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'''Uranium''' is [[element]] number 92 on the [[periodic table]]. It is one of the heaviest elements found in nature, most commonly in the relatively stable Uranium-238 [[isotope]]. Lighter isotopes of uranium, such as U-235, U-233, and U-232, are unstable and prone to [[nuclear fission]]. | [[File:Uranium.JPG|thumb|right|Uranium]]'''Uranium''' is [[element]] number 92 on the [[periodic table]]. It is one of the heaviest elements found in nature, most commonly in the relatively stable Uranium-238 [[isotope]]. Lighter isotopes of uranium, such as U-235, U-233, and U-232, are unstable and prone to [[nuclear fission]]. | ||
Unstable isotopes of uranium are used as fuel for nuclear reactors and as payload for [[nuclear weapon]]s. Preparing uranium for use as a nuclear weapon requires that it be highly "enriched" by separating the unstable atoms from the more stable U-238 atoms using specialized centrifuges. Uranium can also be enriched (to a lesser degree) for use in [[nuclear fission|nuclear reactors]], although not all reactor designs require enriched fuel. | Unstable isotopes of uranium are used as fuel for nuclear reactors and as payload for [[nuclear weapon]]s. Preparing uranium for use as a nuclear weapon requires that it be highly "enriched" by separating the unstable atoms from the more stable U-238 atoms using specialized centrifuges. Uranium can also be enriched (to a lesser degree) for use in [[nuclear fission|nuclear reactors]], although not all reactor designs require enriched fuel. | ||
Depleted Uranium is elemental Uranium-238 that is left over after all of the | Depleted Uranium is elemental Uranium-238 that is left over after all of the fissile isotopes have been removed from the material. Depleted uranium is used in some types of modern armor-piercing ammunition. It has several properties that make it ideal for penetrating armor: | ||
* High density, giving it greater momentum | |||
* Self-sharpening, maintaining a penetrating point when it fractures | |||
* Pyrophoric, burning at high temperatures when it breaks or deforms | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Latest revision as of 21:02, 15 August 2016
Uranium is element number 92 on the periodic table. It is one of the heaviest elements found in nature, most commonly in the relatively stable Uranium-238 isotope. Lighter isotopes of uranium, such as U-235, U-233, and U-232, are unstable and prone to nuclear fission.
Unstable isotopes of uranium are used as fuel for nuclear reactors and as payload for nuclear weapons. Preparing uranium for use as a nuclear weapon requires that it be highly "enriched" by separating the unstable atoms from the more stable U-238 atoms using specialized centrifuges. Uranium can also be enriched (to a lesser degree) for use in nuclear reactors, although not all reactor designs require enriched fuel.
Depleted Uranium is elemental Uranium-238 that is left over after all of the fissile isotopes have been removed from the material. Depleted uranium is used in some types of modern armor-piercing ammunition. It has several properties that make it ideal for penetrating armor:
- High density, giving it greater momentum
- Self-sharpening, maintaining a penetrating point when it fractures
- Pyrophoric, burning at high temperatures when it breaks or deforms