Products - Uranium
Uranium is a naturally occurring, silvery-white, radioactive metallic chemical element with the symbol U and atomic number 92. It is a heavy metal, primarily known for its use as a fuel in nuclear reactors and its role in nuclear weapons. Uranium is relatively abundant in the Earth's crust, found in concentrations of 2 to 4 parts per million, and is as common as tin, tungsten, and molybdenum. .
Key aspects of Uranium :
Uses:
Nuclear Power:
The primary use of uranium is in nuclear power plants, where controlled fission of uranium-235 generates heat to produce electricity.
Nuclear Weapons:
Highly enriched uranium is used in nuclear weapons.
Other Applications: Uranium is also used in some ship propulsion systems, radiation shielding, and as a coloring agent in ceramics.
Depleted Uranium:
A byproduct of uranium enrichment, depleted uranium is used in some military applications, radiation shielding, and counter weights.
Environmental Significance:
Uranium is naturally present in the environment, and its decay products can be found in soil, water, and air.
Dating Methods:
Uranium-lead dating is a technique used to determine the age of rocks and other geological formations.