(Planet Uranus) Discovered in 1789 by Klaproth. Isolated from pitchblende by Peligot in 1841. Yellow-colored glass containing Uranium dates back to 79 A.D. near Naples, Italy. Found in pitchblende and carnotite. Isotope U-238 is the most abundant in nature. Most of the internal heat of the earth is due to the presence of thorium and uranium. One pound of fissioned Uranium has the fuel value of 1500 tons of coal. Controlled in the US by the US Nuclear Regulatory Agency.
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source of nuclear energy, nuclear weapons
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heavy silver-white metal, rare earth metal, oxidizes easily, malleable, ductile, slightly paramagnetic, forms an oxide coat in air, 14 isotopes