Uranium

Uranium

Uranium is a silvery-gray metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table. It has the symbol U and atomic number 92. It is weakly radioactive. It occurs naturally in low concentrations in soil, rock and water, and is commercially extracted from uranium-bearing minerals such as uraninite.

In nature, uranium atoms exist as uranium-238, uranium-235, and a very small amount of uranium-234. Uranium decays slowly by emitting an alpha particle.

It is commonly used for its nuclear properties, including nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons.