Education
Uranium (U)
Element with atomic number 92, category: Actinide, a solid at room temperature.
Element 92 of 118
Actinide
Uranium
Group 6, Period 7 (actinide series)
Common Uses
Nuclear fuel
Electron Diagram
About Uranium
Uranium is a chemical element with the symbol U and atomic number 92, meaning every atom has 92 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Actinide and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 238.029 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Uranium sits in group 6, period 7 (actinide series), which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Uranium
In daily life and industry, Uranium is used for Nuclear fuel. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Actinide category.
Electron Structure of Uranium
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Uranium has 5 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 32, 32 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.