What is Uranium?

Uranium is a chemical element with the symbol U and atomic number 92. It is a silvery-grey metal in the actinide series of the periodic table. Uranium is naturally radioactive and has the highest atomic weight of all naturally occurring elements.

Properties of Uranium

Uranium is a heavy, dense metal that is primarily known for its use as a fuel in nuclear power plants and in nuclear weapons. It is weakly radioactive and has several isotopes, the most common of which is uranium-238.

Physical Properties

Melting Point: 1405.3°C
Boiling Point: 4404°C
Density: 18.95 g/cm³

Chemical Properties

Uranium is reactive and forms a variety of chemical compounds. It can react with oxygen, sulfur, and other elements to form oxides and sulfides.

Uses of Uranium

Uranium is primarily used as a fuel for nuclear power plants, where its energy is harnessed through nuclear fission to generate electricity. It is also used in the production of nuclear weapons and in certain medical applications, such as radiation therapy for cancer treatment.

Health and Environmental Effects

Due to its radioactive nature, exposure to uranium can pose health risks. Inhalation or ingestion of uranium compounds can lead to radiation exposure and potential harm to internal organs. Proper handling and disposal of uranium-containing materials are essential to minimize environmental and health risks.

Study Guide

When studying uranium, it is important to focus on its properties, uses, and potential health and environmental effects. Here are some key points to include in your study guide:

What are the physical and chemical properties of uranium?
How is uranium used in nuclear power generation and other applications?
What are the potential health risks associated with uranium exposure?
What precautions should be taken in the handling and disposal of uranium-containing materials?
What are the main isotopes of uranium and their respective uses?

Understanding these aspects of uranium will provide a comprehensive understanding of this important element and its role in various fields, including energy production and medicine.

◂Science Worksheets and Study Guides Sixth Grade. Our impact on earth

Vocabulary/Answer key

Our impact on earth

The resources above cover the following skills:

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

Earth’s Systems

Analyze and interpret data (e.g., tables, graphs, maps of global and regional temperatures; atmospheric levels of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane; rates of human activities) to describe how various human activities (e.g., use of fossil fuels, creation of urban heat islands, agricultural practices) and natural processes (e.g., solar radiation, greenhouse effect, volcanic activity) may cause changes in local and global temperatures over time.

Earth and Human Activity

Analyze evidence (e.g., databases on human populations, rates of consumption of food and other natural resources) to explain how changes in human population, per capita consumption of natural resources, and other human activities (e.g., land use, resource development, water and air pollution, urbanization) affect Earth’s systems.

Implement scientific principles to design processes for monitoring and minimizing human impact on the environment (e.g., water usage, including withdrawal of water from streams and aquifers or construction of dams and levees; land usage, including urban development, agriculture, or removal of wetlands; pollution of air, water, and land).