Uranium Facts | Facts about Uraniums

How did uranium get its name?

Uranium was discovered in 1789 and named after the planet Uranus, discovered in 1781.

Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity in 1896 using uranium salts.

About two billion years ago, uranium deposits at Oklo in Gabon formed a natural nuclear reactor.

Only about 0.7% of natural uranium is uranium-235.

Uranium glass glows green under ultraviolet light.

Uranium is the heaviest element found in large natural amounts.

Kazakhstan produces the most uranium in the world.

Uranium-238 has a half-life of about 4.5 billion years, about the age of Earth.

Some old Fiestaware used a red glaze containing uranium.

A single uranium fuel pellet can make about as much energy as a ton of coal.