Uranium

Uranium92 U238.03

A German chemist Martin Klaproth discovered Uranium in 1789. Uranium is found in the Earth’s crust. Arthur Jeffrey Dempste discovered the uranium isotopes in 1935.

Uranium is a very heavy metal, which can be used as an abundant source of concentrated energy. The isotope U-235 produces a lot of energy through nuclear fission. Nuclear fission is a reaction in which a large nuclei breaks apart into two smaller nuclei, releasing a great deal of energy.

HALF LIFEUranium 238- 4.5 billion yearsUranium 235- 704 million yearsUranium 234- 245,000 years

DECAY PROCESSUranium isotopes emit alpha radiation. Alpha particles are two protons and two neutrons (helium atoms) hence creating a new atom that is found by subtracting two protons and two neutrons from the original isotope. The new element can decay by either alpha and beta radiation or gamma rays. For example Uranium 238 decays into thorium 234 through alpha radiation. The thorium 234 uses beta radiation to decay into protactinium 234, this process continues.