92

U

Uranium
238.02891 (3)
 Historical Information

Uranium was discovered by Martin Klaproth at 1789 in Germany. Origin of name: named after "the planet Uranus". Klaproth recognized an unknown element in pitchblende and attempted to isolate the metal in 1789. He named the element for the planet uranus which had just been discovered.

Basic Information Shells
  • Name:Uranium
  • Symbol: U
  • Atomic number: 92
  • Atomic weight: 238.02891 (3)
  • Standard state: solid at 298 K
  • Group in periodic table:
  • Group name:Actinoid
  • Period in periodic table: 7
  • Block in periodic table: f-block
  • Classification: Metallic
 Uranium
Uses Trivia
  • a nuclear fuel
  • synthesis of isotopes
  • nuclear explosive
  • used in nuclear fuels to generate electrical power

Uranium is of great interest because of its application to nuclear power and nuclear weapons. Uranium contamination is an emotive environmental problem. It is not particularly rare and is more common than beryllium or tungsten for instance.