Uranium is one of the most expensive mining product in the world. Uranium, with symbol U and atomic number 92 in periodic table, is a radioactive element which has unstable isotopes. It occurs naturally in low concentrations of a few parts per million in soil, rock and water. Without delaying any further, here are 10 facts of Uranium.
- Has quite high melting point : 2,075o F (1,135o C) and high boiling point : 7,468 o F (4,131 o C).
- Was discovered by Martin Heinrich Klaproth, a German chemist in 1789.
- However, it has been known since at least AD 79 (uranium oxide was used as coloring agent for ceramic glazes and in glass.
- It was named after the recently discovered planet (1781), Uranus.
- Was found to be radioactive in 1896 by Antoine H. Becquerel, a French physicist.
- 1 ton of natural uranium can produce more than 40 million KW-hours of electricity.
- In 2007, the price of uranium approached $100.00 per pound (size : ball with diameter 1.3 inches).
- It is 40 times more naturally abundant than silver.
- It is the heaviest naturally occurring element in the universe. A gallon of milk only weighs about 8 lbs, while a chunk of uranium metal the size of that milk weighs over 150 lbs.
- If it is ingested by human (uranium’s traces appear in rock, soil, water, etc.), the kidneys will remove it from bloodstream and can repair itself if the cells are damaged by the process.
