92
U
Uranium
238

Uranium (U)

ActinidePeriod 7f-block-blockRadioactive

Uranium is a chemical element with symbol U and atomic number 92. It is a silvery-white metal in the actinide series of the periodic table. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons.

Latin name: Uranium

Atomic Number
92
Atomic Mass
238 g/mol
Phase (STP)
Solid
Electron Config.
[Rn] 5f³ 6d¹ 7s² (commonly [Rn] 5f³ 6d¹ 7s²)

General

SymbolU
Atomic Number92
Atomic Mass238 g/mol
CategoryActinide
Period7
Blockf-block
Electron Configuration[Rn] 5f³ 6d¹ 7s² (commonly [Rn] 5f³ 6d¹ 7s²)
Valence Electrons6
Coloursilvery-gray metallic
CAS NumberCAS7440-61-1

Physical Properties

Phase (STP)Solid
Density19.1 g/cm³
Melting Point1132.15°C · 2069.87°F · 1405.30 K
Boiling Point4130.85°C · 7467.53°F · 4404.00 K

Atomic Properties

Atomic Radius240 pm
Electronegativity1.38 Pauling
Ionization Energy597 kJ/mol
Oxidation States+6, +5, +4, +3, +2
Ion ChargeU3+/U4+/U6+

Thermodynamic

Molar Heat27.665 J/(mol·K)

Crystal Structure

Crystal Structureorthorhombic (α-U)

Nuclear & Hazards

RadioactiveYes
Half-life4.468×10^9 years (U-238)

Abundance

In Universe0.00000001%
In Earth's Crust0.0002%

Discovery & History

Discovery Year1789
Discovered ByMartin Heinrich Klaproth
Country of DiscoveryGermany

Isotopes of Uranium

IsotopeAbundanceHalf-lifeDecay
U-2340.0054%2.455 × 10⁵ yearsα
U-2350.7204%7.038 × 10⁸ yearsα
U-2362.342 × 10⁷ yearsα
U-23899.2742%4.468 × 10⁹ yearsα

External References

← 91 Protactinium93 Neptunium →