Uranium

chemistry · radioactive · elements · geology

Super Heavy Metal. Uranium is one of the heaviest natural elements, so dense that it's about 70% heavier than lead, the heavy metal everyone knows about.

Time Machine Element. Uranium atoms break apart incredibly slowly over millions or billions of years, which lets scientists measure the age of rocks and Earth itself by counting how much uranium has changed.

Radioactive Decay. Uranium constantly emits tiny particles called alpha particles as it transforms into other elements, a process that continues for billions of years depending on which type of uranium it is.

Found in Nature. Uranium exists in small amounts all around us in soil, rocks, and water, though we usually can't see or feel it because the amounts are so tiny.

Element Number 92. Uranium has 92 protons in its center and 92 electrons orbiting around it, making it the heaviest element that occurs naturally in the Earth.