The Tiny Atom That Changed History: Uranium

Uranium is a heavy element with 92 protons packed into its nucleus.
It’s naturally radioactive, slowly releasing energy as its nucleus breaks down.
Uranium-235 can undergo fission, splitting into smaller atoms and unleashing massive energy.
This fission property made uranium the key fuel for the first nuclear reactors.
Uranium’s energy potential also powered the development of atomic bombs.
Most uranium on Earth is U-238, which isn’t as easily split as U-235.
Uranium fuels nuclear power plants, generating electricity without carbon emissions.
It was first discovered in 1789 by German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth.
Uranium’s radioactive decay creates radon gas, a natural hazard in some areas.
From war to clean energy, uranium’s tiny atom has shaped world history and our future.