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Verda.Majo (talk | contribs) Created page with "{{Message box/Stub}} '''Uranium''' ('''U''') is a naturally occurring radioactive element, categorized as atomic number 92 on the periodic table of elements.<ref name=":0">Vladimir Tarakanov. [https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-uranium "What is Uranium?"] International Atomic Energy Agency, 2023-08-16.</ref> As a radioactive element, uranium decays over time and releases energy in the process. Uranium is the main source of fuel for Nuclear reactor|nu..." Tag: Visual edit |
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[[File:Kazatamprom worker inspecting uranium.jpg|alt=A worker in a Kazatomprom uniform is holding a radiation measuring device by a container of uranium.|thumb|A [[Kazatomprom]] worker checking the radiation level of uranium oxide at a mine in [[Republic of Kazakhstan|Kazakhstan]] in 2006.]] | |||
'''Uranium''' ('''U''') is a naturally occurring [[radioactive]] element, categorized as atomic number 92 on the [[periodic table of elements]].<ref name=":0">Vladimir Tarakanov. [https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-uranium "What is Uranium?"] International Atomic Energy Agency, 2023-08-16.</ref> As a radioactive element, uranium decays over time and releases energy in the process. Uranium is the main source of fuel for [[Nuclear reactor|nuclear reactors]].<ref name=":0" /> | |||
There are three natural [[Isotope|isotopes]] of uranium: uranium-234 (U-234), uranium-235 (U-235) and uranium-238 (U-238). U-238 is the most common uranium isotope and accounts for around 99% of natural uranium found on earth. Meanwhile, most nuclear reactors use fuels containing U-235. As natural uranium typically contains only 0.72% of U-235, the U-235 concentration is typically artificially increased through a process called enrichment. Through enrichment, the isotopic proportion of U-235 is increased from 0.72% to up to 94%.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
[[Republic of Kazakhstan|Kazakhstan]] has been the leading producer of uranium in the world since 2009, with its output accounting for 43% of global uranium supply in 2022. Other major producers include [[Canada]], [[Republic of Namibia|Namibia]], [[Commonwealth of Australia|Australia]], [[Republic of Uzbekistan|Uzbekistan]], [[Russian Federation|Russia]], [[Republic of the Niger|Niger]], [[People's Republic of China|China]], [[Republic of India|India]], and [[Republic of South Africa|South Africa]].<ref name=":1">{{Web citation|author=Georgia Williams|newspaper=Investing News Network|title=Top 10 Uranium-producing Countries|date=2025-06-02|url=https://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/energy-investing/uranium-investing/uranium-producing-countries/}}</ref> | |||
== Nuclear energy == | |||
Globally, around 10% of electricity is generated from nuclear power.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Web citation|newspaper=Our World in Data|title=Nuclear Energy|url=https://ourworldindata.org/nuclear-energy|retrieved=2026-07-20}}</ref> Some countries which rely heavily on nuclear power include [[Kingdom of Belgium|Belgium]], [[French Republic|France]], and [[Ukraine]].<ref name=":2" /> | |||
== See also == | |||
* [[Nuclear energy]] | |||
* [[Nuclear weapon|Nuclear weapons]] | |||
* [[Anti-nuclear sentiment]] | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
Latest revision as of 19:03, 20 July 2026
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Uranium (U) is a naturally occurring radioactive element, categorized as atomic number 92 on the periodic table of elements.[1] As a radioactive element, uranium decays over time and releases energy in the process. Uranium is the main source of fuel for nuclear reactors.[1]
There are three natural isotopes of uranium: uranium-234 (U-234), uranium-235 (U-235) and uranium-238 (U-238). U-238 is the most common uranium isotope and accounts for around 99% of natural uranium found on earth. Meanwhile, most nuclear reactors use fuels containing U-235. As natural uranium typically contains only 0.72% of U-235, the U-235 concentration is typically artificially increased through a process called enrichment. Through enrichment, the isotopic proportion of U-235 is increased from 0.72% to up to 94%.[1]
Kazakhstan has been the leading producer of uranium in the world since 2009, with its output accounting for 43% of global uranium supply in 2022. Other major producers include Canada, Namibia, Australia, Uzbekistan, Russia, Niger, China, India, and South Africa.[2]
Nuclear energy[edit | edit source]
Globally, around 10% of electricity is generated from nuclear power.[2][3] Some countries which rely heavily on nuclear power include Belgium, France, and Ukraine.[3]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Vladimir Tarakanov. "What is Uranium?" International Atomic Energy Agency, 2023-08-16.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Georgia Williams (2025-06-02). "Top 10 Uranium-producing Countries" Investing News Network.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Nuclear Energy". Our World in Data. Retrieved 2026-07-20.