Uranium

Uranium, with the chemical symbol U and atomic number 92, is a fascinating and versatile chemical element discovered in 1789. German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth first identified uranium in a sample of pitchblende. The name "Uranium" is derived from Uranus, the Greek god of the sky.

Uranium is not rare on Earth and is found in small amounts in rocks and minerals. However, its radioactive properties make it particularly interesting. The discovery of uranium-235 fission by Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann in 1938 laid the foundation for the development of atomic weapons and nuclear power plants.

Uranium has diverse applications. In addition to its use as fuel in nuclear reactors, it was utilized in medicine for radiation therapy and imaging techniques. Furthermore, it is employed in space exploration as a power source for space probes.

The key uranium isotopes are Uranium-238 and Uranium-235. Uranium-238 has a half-life of about 4.5 billion years, while Uranium-235 has a half-life of approximately 700 million years.

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