Radioactive Properties - doe-hdbk-1113-98_reaffirm_2005

DOE-HDBK-1113-98

Module 101 Properties of Uranium

Lesson Plan

Instructor's Notes

Hydrogen gas is generated from uranium in water, and

this may also produce a pressure buildup situation.

Because the hydrogen buildup may also be a fire hazard,

it is discussed later in this module in the Chemical

Properties section.

Radioactive Properties - Uranium in its pure metal form

is a silvery, gray metal and is the heaviest naturally

occurring element. There are 18 separate isotopes of

uranium. Isotopes are elements that have the same

number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons. For

example, 235U has 92 protons with 143 neutrons and

238U has 92 protons with 146 neutrons.

Show OT-5

Uranium is radioactive. Partially because of its size, the

nucleus of a uranium atom is unstable. It reduces its size

either by alpha particle emission or by nuclear fission, in

which the uranium nucleus splits, primarily, into two

smaller fission products. Both processes release energy,

which can be helpful or harmful depending on how they

are controlled.