Difference between revisions of "Uranium"

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'''Uranium''' is a radioactive chemical element, member of the actinide group. It has the symbol '''U''' and atomic number 92. Because Uranium-238 has a half-life of 4.468 billion years, the great majority (99.284%) of natural uranium is composed of this isotope. The uranium with a higher concentration of U-238 than the U-235 isotope (the fissile isotope) is commonly known as '''depleted uranium''' ('''DU''').
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{{Infobox element
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<!-- top -->
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|image name= Uranium metal vial sample by vano.jpg
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|image alt=
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|image size=
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|image name comment= Glass ampoule containing uranium metal
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|image name 2=
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|image alt 2=
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|image size 2=
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|image name 2 comment=
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<!-- General properties -->
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|name=Uranium
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|symbol=U
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|pronounce=
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|pronounce ref=
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|pronounce comment=
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|pronounce 2=
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|alt name=
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|alt names=
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|allotropes=α-U (orthorhombic), β-U (tetragonal), γ-U (body-centered cubic)
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|appearance=Metallic gray
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<!-- Periodic table -->
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|above=[[Neodymium|Nd]]
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|below=Uqh
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|left=[[Protactinium]]
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|right=[[Neptunium]]
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|number=92
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|atomic mass=238.02891(3)
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|atomic mass 2=
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|atomic mass ref=
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|atomic mass comment=
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|series=
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|series ref=
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|series comment=
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|series color=
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|group=
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|group ref=
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|group comment= n/a
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|period=7
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|period ref=
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|period comment=
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|block=f
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|block ref=
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|block comment=
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|electron configuration=[Rn] 5f<sup>3</sup> 6d<sup>1</sup> 7s<sup>2</sup>
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|electron configuration ref=
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|electron configuration comment=
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|electrons per shell=2, 8, 18, 32, 21, 9, 2
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|electrons per shell ref=
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|electrons per shell comment=
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<!-- Physical properties -->
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|physical properties comment=
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|color=Metallic gray
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|phase=Solid
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|phase ref=
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|phase comment=
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|melting point K=1405.3
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|melting point C=1132.2
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|melting point F=2070
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|melting point ref=
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|melting point comment=
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|boiling point K=4404
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|boiling point C=4131
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|boiling point F=​7468
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|boiling point ref=
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|boiling point comment=
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|sublimation point K=
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|sublimation point C=
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|sublimation point F=
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|sublimation point ref=
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|sublimation point comment=
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|density gplstp=
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|density gplstp ref=
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|density gplstp comment=
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|density gpcm3nrt=19.1
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|density gpcm3nrt ref=
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|density gpcm3nrt comment=
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|density gpcm3nrt 2=
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|density gpcm3nrt 2 ref=
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|density gpcm3nrt 2 comment=
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|density gpcm3nrt 3=
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|density gpcm3nrt 3 ref=
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|density gpcm3nrt 3 comment=
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|density gpcm3mp=17.3
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|density gpcm3mp ref=
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|density gpcm3mp comment=
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|density gpcm3bp=
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|density gpcm3bp ref=
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|density gpcm3bp comment=
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|molar volume=
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|molar volume unit =
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|molar volume ref=
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|molar volume comment=
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|triple point K=
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|triple point kPa=
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|triple point ref=
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|triple point comment=
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|triple point K 2=
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|triple point kPa 2=
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|triple point 2 ref=
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|triple point 2 comment=
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|critical point K=
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|critical point MPa=
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|critical point ref=
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|critical point comment=
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|heat fusion=9.14
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|heat fusion ref=
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|heat fusion comment=
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|heat fusion 2=
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|heat fusion 2 ref=
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|heat fusion 2 comment=
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|heat vaporization=417.1
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|heat vaporization ref=
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|heat vaporization comment=
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|heat capacity=27.665
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|heat capacity ref=
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|heat capacity comment=
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|heat capacity 2=
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|heat capacity 2 ref=
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|heat capacity 2 comment=
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|vapor pressure 1=2325
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|vapor pressure 10=2564
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|vapor pressure 100=2859
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|vapor pressure 1 k=3234
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|vapor pressure 10 k=3727
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|vapor pressure 100 k=4402
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|vapor pressure ref=
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|vapor pressure comment=
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|vapor pressure 1 2=
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|vapor pressure 10 2=
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|vapor pressure 100 2=
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|vapor pressure 1 k 2=
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|vapor pressure 10 k 2=
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|vapor pressure 100 k 2=
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|vapor pressure 2 ref=
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|vapor pressure 2 comment=
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<!-- Atomic properties -->
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|atomic properties comment=
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|oxidation states='''6''', 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ​
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|oxidation states ref=
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|oxidation states comment=(a weakly basic oxide)
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|electronegativity=1.38
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|electronegativity ref=
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|electronegativity comment=
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|ionization energy 1=597.6
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|ionization energy 1 ref=
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|ionization energy 1 comment=
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|ionization energy 2=1420
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|ionization energy 2 ref=
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|ionization energy 2 comment=
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|ionization energy 3=
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|ionization energy 3 ref=
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|ionization energy 3 comment=
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|number of ionization energies=
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|ionization energy ref=
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|ionization energy comment=
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|atomic radius=156
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|atomic radius ref=
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|atomic radius comment=
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|atomic radius calculated=
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|atomic radius calculated ref=
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|atomic radius calculated comment=
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|covalent radius=196±7
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|covalent radius ref=
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|covalent radius comment=
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|Van der Waals radius=186
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|Van der Waals radius ref=
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|Van der Waals radius comment=
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<!-- Miscellanea -->
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|crystal structure=
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|crystal structure prefix=
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|crystal structure ref=
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|crystal structure comment=Orthorhombic
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|crystal structure 2=
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|crystal structure 2 prefix=
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|crystal structure 2 ref=
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|crystal structure 2 comment=
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|speed of sound=
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|speed of sound ref=
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|speed of sound comment=
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|speed of sound rod at 20=3155
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|speed of sound rod at 20 ref=
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|speed of sound rod at 20 comment=
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|speed of sound rod at r.t.=
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|speed of sound rod at r.t. ref=
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|speed of sound rod at r.t. comment=
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|thermal expansion=
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|thermal expansion ref=
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|thermal expansion comment=
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|thermal expansion at 25=13.9
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|thermal expansion at 25 ref=
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|thermal expansion at 25 comment=
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|thermal conductivity=27.5
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|thermal conductivity ref=
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|thermal conductivity comment=
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|thermal conductivity 2=
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|thermal conductivity 2 ref=
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|thermal conductivity 2 comment=
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|thermal diffusivity=
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|thermal diffusivity ref=
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|thermal diffusivity comment=
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|electrical resistivity=
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|electrical resistivity unit prefix=
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|electrical resistivity ref=
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|electrical resistivity comment=
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|electrical resistivity at 0=0.28·10<sup>-3</sup>
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|electrical resistivity at 0 ref=
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|electrical resistivity at 0 comment=
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|electrical resistivity at 20=
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|electrical resistivity at 20 ref=
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|electrical resistivity at 20 comment=
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|band gap=
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|band gap ref=
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|band gap comment=
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|Curie point K=
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|Curie point ref=
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|Curie point comment=
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|magnetic ordering=Paramagnetic
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|magnetic ordering ref=
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|magnetic ordering comment=
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|tensile strength=
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|tensile strength ref=
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|tensile strength comment=
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|Young's modulus=208
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|Young's modulus ref=
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|Young's modulus comment=
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|Shear modulus=111
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|Shear modulus ref=
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|Shear modulus comment=
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|Bulk modulus=100
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|Bulk modulus ref=
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|Bulk modulus comment=
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|Poisson ratio=0.23
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|Poisson ratio ref=
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|Poisson ratio comment=
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|Mohs hardness=
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|Mohs hardness ref=
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|Mohs hardness comment=
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|Mohs hardness 2=
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|Mohs hardness 2 ref=
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|Mohs hardness 2 comment=
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|Vickers hardness=1960–2500
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|Vickers hardness ref=
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|Vickers hardness comment=
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|Brinell hardness=2350–3850
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|Brinell hardness ref=
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|Brinell hardness comment=
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|CAS number=7440-61-1
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|CAS number ref=
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|CAS number comment=
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<!-- History -->
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|naming=After planet Uranus, itself named after Greek god of the sky Uranus
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|predicted by=
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|prediction date ref=
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|prediction date=
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|discovered by=Martin Heinrich Klaproth (1789)
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|discovery date ref=
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|discovery date=
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|first isolation by=Eugène-Melchior Péligot (1841)
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|first isolation date ref=
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|first isolation date=
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|discovery and first isolation by=
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|named by=
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|named date ref=
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|named date=
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|history comment label=
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|history comment=
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<!-- Isotopes -->
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|isotopes=
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|isotopes comment=
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|engvar=
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}}
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'''Uranium''' is a radioactive chemical element, member of the actinide group. It has the symbol '''U''' and atomic number 92. Because the uranium isotope Uranium-238 has a half-life of 4.468 billion years, the great majority (99.284%) of natural uranium is composed of this isotope. The uranium with a higher concentration of U-238 than the U-235 isotope (the fissile isotope) is commonly known as '''depleted uranium''' ('''DU''').
  
 
==Properties==
 
==Properties==
 
===Chemical===
 
===Chemical===
−
Uranium reacts with almost all non-metal elements and their compounds, the reactivity increases at higher temperatures. It will quickly tarnish in air, forming a dark layer of uranium dioxide. [[Hydrochloric]] and [[nitric acids]] dissolve uranium, but other non-oxidizing acids attack the element very slowly. When finely divided, it is very pyrophoric and can react with cold water.
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Uranium reacts with almost all non-metal elements and their compounds, its reactivity increases at higher temperatures. It will quickly tarnish in air, forming a dark layer of uranium dioxide. [[Hydrochloric acid|Hydrochloric]] and [[nitric acid]]s dissolve uranium, but other non-oxidizing acids attack the element very slowly. When finely divided, it is very pyrophoric and can react with cold water.
  
 
As an actinide that displays the "quasi-group" property, uranium acts similarly to Group 6 metals: its most characteristic oxidation state is +6.
 
As an actinide that displays the "quasi-group" property, uranium acts similarly to Group 6 metals: its most characteristic oxidation state is +6.
  
 
===Physical===
 
===Physical===
−
Uranium is a silvery-white metal in the actinide series of the periodic table. Its density is 18.9 g/cm<sup>3</sup> about 70% higher than that of lead, but slightly lower than that of gold or tungsten.
+
Uranium is a silvery-white metal in the actinide series of the periodic table. Its density is 18.9-19.1 g/cm<sup>3</sup> about 70% higher than that of [[lead]], but slightly lower than that of [[gold]] or [[tungsten]].
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
−
Uranium is available for sale at chemical suppliers such as [http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_17_69&products_id=1078 United Nuclear] in its depleted form. In the US it may require a license<ref>http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part040/part040-0025.html</ref> above certain quantity<ref>http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part040/part040-0013.html</ref>. Boeing 747 planes produced between 1968 and 1981 used triangular DU counterweights, before they were replaced with [[tungsten]] ones.<ref>http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML0321/ML032180089.pdf</ref> [http://www.goodfellow.com/catalogue/GFCat4.php?ewd_token=1WXOmJaNjPfAoNBwoIYglarnDJ0Liu&n=KyMQFIQq3lD3HMbBmccOCQ5t7m8Wtn GoodFellow] sells uranium foil and wire.
+
Uranium is available for sale at chemical suppliers such as [http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_17_69&products_id=1078 United Nuclear] in its depleted form. In the US it may require a license<ref>http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part040/part040-0025.html</ref> above certain quantity<ref>http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part040/part040-0013.html</ref>. Boeing 747 planes produced between 1968 and 1981 used triangular DU counterweights before they were replaced with [[tungsten]] ones.<ref>http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML0321/ML032180089.pdf</ref> [http://www.goodfellow.com/catalogue/GFCat4.php?ewd_token=1WXOmJaNjPfAoNBwoIYglarnDJ0Liu&n=KyMQFIQq3lD3HMbBmccOCQ5t7m8Wtn GoodFellow] sells uranium foil and wire. Uranium compounds, such as ammonium diuranate (aka "yellowcake") and uranium dioxide can also be purchased from United Nuclear.
  
−
Uranium compounds, such as ammonium diuranate (aka "yellowcake") and uranium dioxide can also be purchased from United Nuclear.
+
In most countries, the sale of uranium metal and its compounds is regulated, even for small samples. Uranium ores however, are somewhat easier to acquire, and while dangerous, it's possible to extract tiny amounts of the metal from its natural ore. Uranium glass is also sold online, but it's very difficult to extract the metal it, and the amount is very small.
  
−
==Preparation==
+
==Isolation==
 
Uranium metal can be prepared by reducing its compounds with a more reactive metal, such as [[calcium]]. The reduction should be performed under inert conditions, as uranium is pyrophoric.
 
Uranium metal can be prepared by reducing its compounds with a more reactive metal, such as [[calcium]]. The reduction should be performed under inert conditions, as uranium is pyrophoric.
 +
 +
Cody has made a video about extracting uranium metal from its ore, and was able to obtain a small amount of uranium metal.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6lZJuD6RIM</ref>
  
 
==Projects==
 
==Projects==
 
*Uranium glass
 
*Uranium glass
 +
*Weak alpha radiation source
 
*Make [[uranium carbonate]]
 
*Make [[uranium carbonate]]
 
*[[Element collecting]]
 
*[[Element collecting]]
Line 47: Line 322:
 
[[Category:Radioactives]]
 
[[Category:Radioactives]]
 
[[Category:Heavy metal toxicants]]
 
[[Category:Heavy metal toxicants]]
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[[Category:Pyrophoric]]
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[[Category:Pyrophoric materials]]
 
[[Category:F-block]]
 
[[Category:F-block]]

Latest revision as of 19:17, 11 March 2024

Uranium,  92U
Uranium metal vial sample by vano.jpg
Glass ampoule containing uranium metal
General properties
Name, symbol Uranium, U
Allotropes α-U (orthorhombic), β-U (tetragonal), γ-U (body-centered cubic)
Appearance Metallic gray
Uranium in the periodic table
Nd
↑
U
↓
Uqh
Protactinium ← Uranium → Neptunium
Atomic number 92
Standard atomic weight (Ar) 238.02891(3)
Group, block n/a; f-block
Period period 7
Electron configuration [Rn] 5f3 6d1 7s2
per shell
 2, 8, 18, 32, 21, 9, 2
Physical properties
Metallic gray
Phase Solid
Melting point 1405.3 K ​(1132.2 °C, ​2070 °F)
Boiling point 4404 K ​(4131 °C, ​​7468 °F)
Density near r.t. 19.1 g/cm3
when liquid, at  17.3 g/cm3
Heat of fusion 9.14 kJ/mol
Heat of 417.1 kJ/mol
Molar heat capacity 27.665 J/(mol·K)
 pressure
Atomic properties
Oxidation states 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ​ ​(a weakly basic oxide)
Electronegativity Pauling scale: 1.38
energies 1st: 597.6 kJ/mol
2nd: 1420 kJ/mol
Atomic radius empirical: 156 pm
Covalent radius 196±7 pm
Van der Waals radius 186 pm
Miscellanea
Crystal structure ​Orthorhombic
Speed of sound thin rod 3155 m/s (at 20 °C)
Thermal expansion 13.9 µm/(m·K) (at 25 °C)
Thermal conductivity 27.5 W/(m·K)
Electrical resistivity 0.28·10-3 Ω·m (at 0 °C)
Magnetic ordering Paramagnetic
Young's modulus 208 GPa
Shear modulus 111 GPa
Bulk modulus 100 GPa
Poisson ratio 0.23
Vickers hardness 1960–2500 MPa
Brinell hardness 2350–3850 MPa
CAS Registry Number 7440-61-1
History
Naming After planet Uranus, itself named after Greek god of the sky Uranus
Discovery Martin Heinrich Klaproth (1789)
First isolation Eugène-Melchior Péligot (1841)
· references

Uranium is a radioactive chemical element, member of the actinide group. It has the symbol U and atomic number 92. Because the uranium isotope Uranium-238 has a half-life of 4.468 billion years, the great majority (99.284%) of natural uranium is composed of this isotope. The uranium with a higher concentration of U-238 than the U-235 isotope (the fissile isotope) is commonly known as depleted uranium (DU).

Properties

Chemical

Uranium reacts with almost all non-metal elements and their compounds, its reactivity increases at higher temperatures. It will quickly tarnish in air, forming a dark layer of uranium dioxide. Hydrochloric and nitric acids dissolve uranium, but other non-oxidizing acids attack the element very slowly. When finely divided, it is very pyrophoric and can react with cold water.

As an actinide that displays the "quasi-group" property, uranium acts similarly to Group 6 metals: its most characteristic oxidation state is +6.

Physical

Uranium is a silvery-white metal in the actinide series of the periodic table. Its density is 18.9-19.1 g/cm3 about 70% higher than that of lead, but slightly lower than that of gold or tungsten.

Availability

Uranium is available for sale at chemical suppliers such as United Nuclear in its depleted form. In the US it may require a license[1] above certain quantity[2]. Boeing 747 planes produced between 1968 and 1981 used triangular DU counterweights before they were replaced with tungsten ones.[3] GoodFellow sells uranium foil and wire. Uranium compounds, such as ammonium diuranate (aka "yellowcake") and uranium dioxide can also be purchased from United Nuclear.

In most countries, the sale of uranium metal and its compounds is regulated, even for small samples. Uranium ores however, are somewhat easier to acquire, and while dangerous, it's possible to extract tiny amounts of the metal from its natural ore. Uranium glass is also sold online, but it's very difficult to extract the metal it, and the amount is very small.

Isolation

Uranium metal can be prepared by reducing its compounds with a more reactive metal, such as calcium. The reduction should be performed under inert conditions, as uranium is pyrophoric.

Cody has made a video about extracting uranium metal from its ore, and was able to obtain a small amount of uranium metal.[4]

Projects

Handling

Safety

Natural and depleted uranium is weakly radioactive and poses little radiation risk. The metal and its compounds are toxic to the organism and should be handled with proper protection. Inhalation of powdered depleted uranium or uranium compounds is dangerous due to it's status as an alpha emitter. The main danger with uranium is not its radiation (it can safely be handled by hand), but its toxicity on ingestion.

Bulk DU is difficult to ignite, but finely divided uranium is highly pyrophoric.

Storage

As uranium will slowly react with the air, it should be stored under oil or in an inert container. Because of it's low radioactive hazard, depleted uranium does not require radiation shielding (the storage container walls will effectively absorb the weak alpha radiation).

Disposal

As uranium compounds are toxic and is a heavy metal, it is recommended to avoid dumping the compounds in the environment and should be taken to waste disposal facilities.

If the uranium was extracted from its natural ore taken from an area where the said ore can be easily collected, it's not entirely a bad idea to dispose of the ore wastes as well as uranium compounds residues in the said area, as the ore area is already naturally contaminated and the amount of ore waste is the same as the one you originally picked it up. Note that this method is not 100% sure and some research on its disposal is necessary.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part040/part040-0025.html
  2. ↑ http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part040/part040-0013.html
  3. ↑ http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML0321/ML032180089.pdf
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6lZJuD6RIM

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

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