Atomica
92U238.03

Uranium

Actinides

Heavy, radioactive metals. Most of them are made only in laboratories.

[Rn] 5f³ 6d¹ 7s²

Atomic number
92
Atomic mass
238.03
Protons
92
Neutrons
146 (most common)
Electrons
92
Shells
2, 8, 18, 32, 21, 9, 2
State at 25 °C
Solid
Position
Period 7, f-block
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byMartin Heinrich Klaproth, 1789Martin Heinrich Klaproth: 3 elements

Named after the planet Uranus, discovered eight years earlier. In 1896 Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity using uranium salts.

Did you know?

  • It's the heaviest element found in large amounts in nature.
  • One kilogram of uranium-235 can release about as much energy as burning millions of kilograms of coal.

Where it's found

  • Pitchblende ore
  • Jaduguda mine, Jharkhand

What it's used for

  • Nuclear power fuel
  • Once used to colour glass yellow-green

Try it

There's no safe home experiment for Uranium. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.