| Symbol |
Name |
Atomic
Number |
Atomic
Weight |
Group
Number |
| U |
Uranium |
92 |
238.0289 |
|
Description
Standard State: solid at 298 K
Color: Grayish white lustrous
Yellow-colored glass,containing more than 1% uranium oxide and dating back to 79 A.D.,
has been found near Naples, Italy. Klaproth recognized an unknown element in
pitchblende and attempted to isolate the metal in 1789. The metal apparently was
first isolated in 1841 by Peligot, who reduced the anhydrous chloride with potassium.
It is found in Phosphate rock, lignite, monazite sands, and can be recovered
commercially from these sources.
Uranium is heavy, silvery-white metal which is pyrophoric when finely divided.
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. |