Atomic Structure & Physical/Chemical Properties
How atomic sTRUCTURE Determines Function
Uranium is a metal which is located in group 6 and period 7. This means it has a relatively larger radius than most elements on the periodic table. Also , this means it has a weaker control on its electrons which are in the outer orbits. It has 92 protons and 92 electrons , having 7 energy levels and 6 valence electrons, making it highly reactive. Due to it's large size, it is ideal for nuclear fission. Chemical Properties and IsotopesUranium naturally occurs as a radioactive element. It has no stable isotopes , but two primordial isotopes namely uranium -238 and uranium -235 , the two having a long half -life , and are found in a sufficient quantity in the Earth’s crust , along with the decay product uranium -234. Physical PropertiesIn its pure form , uranium is a solid shiny , silver metal . When exposed to air in covers itself with a thin oxide film. Uranium’s capacity of heat is 3.3 times lower than that of copper , and its thermal conductivity is approximately three times less than that of stainless steel. Uranium is , unlike , most metals is a poor conductor of electricity , is harder than most metals (being slightly softer than steel) , and is extremely dense (about 70 percent denser than lead) , only slightly less dense than gold. And it is the only heaviest naturally occurring element abundantly available. |