Uranium

Uranium, U, is a radioactive metallic element, found in the actinide series of inner transition metals in Group IIIa of the periodic table.

Atomic Number : 92
Relative Atomic Mass : 238.03

Discovery

Uranium in the form of its oxide was discovered by M H Klaproth in 1789AD.
Uranium, U, was isolated as the metal by E M Peligot in 1842AD.

Occurrence

Uranium can be found as

Pitchblende or Uraninite, U3O8, and
Carnotite, KUO2(VO4).3H2O.

Extraction

Uranium is concentrated from pitchblende to yield uranium dioxide and this dioxide is then converted to uranium tetrafluoride by heating with hydrofluoric acid, which is then reduced to the metal with Carbon.

Preparation

Manufacture

Properties

Uranium

is a hard white solid, but normally exists in the form of a highly divided black powder,
is primarily of interest because of its radioactive properties.

Reactions

Uranium is a reactive metal and it resembles Molybdenum and Tungsten in chemical properties.

Uranium is attacked slowly by dilute hydrochloric acid.

Uses

Uranium is used as a colourant in pottery and the manufacture of glass.
Uranium is used in the nuclear industry as a fissionable material.

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