Uranium

=**Jefferson Cauvin** =

=**Science-Gold**=

=**Abstract**=

Uranium is a natural element with the atomic number 92, which is U 238, and when it is enriched it turns into U 235. U 235 is used in many countries to produce electric energy and war affairs. Uranium is not a major health risks but has the potential to when it is misused. Like it can be toxic to the lungs when inhaled that can cause lung cancer, and off springs with birth defects. My position about this element is since it does not affect humans as much as the people mining for Uranium. Uranium miners are at higher risk then anyone else to be most effected by this they can get lung cancer for being in the mine for long period of hours a day which they are breathing in.

=**Background**=

The chemical that I choose to do for my science benchmark is on Uranium. Uranium has a chemical element of atomic number 92 on the periodic tables, a gray, dense radioactive metal used as a fuel in nuclear reactors. •	(Symbol: U) Uranium is a chemically reactive metal belonging to the actinide series. Becquerel discovered radioactivity in uranium in 1896, and its capacity to undergo fission led to its use as a source of energy, though the fissile isotope, uranium-235, has to be separated from the more common uranium-238 before it can be used in nuclear weapons. The atom bomb exploded over Hiroshima in 1945 contained uranium-235.

The chemical Uranium is a good source of energy. The things that’s its mostly used for is in nuclear power plants and also in nuclear bombs when war comes about.

Nuclear Power Plant use heat power that is freed with the help of fuel with Uranium then turns into mechanic power and after then into electric power. The Uranium produced heat that makes the water evaporate and the reaction steam travels to the turbine, which starts up the generator then at the end you, get electric power. The heat comes from Uranium nucleuses fission in the nuclear reactor.

The way Uranium is used in a nuclear bomb is hydrogen nuclei have to collide and fuse which then release large amounts of energy. The fusion reactions will not begin until the nuclei involved have been heated to very high temperatures.

The countries that still use this chemical are United State, Japan, Russia, Cuba, China and etc. Here are their regulations to obtain this chemical.

United State- Regulations On This Chemical

•	Certified in Science •	Pass by the FDA

Japan- Regulations On This Chemical •	Certified in Science •

Russia- Regulations On This Chemical •	Certified in Science •

Cuba- Regulations On This Chemical •	Certified in Science •

China- Regulations On This Chemical’ •	Certified in Science

The rest our shown on this map below



Picture Source: www.btinternet.com

**Synthesis/Production Section:**
The way we get Uranium is by mining and milling uranium. When Uranium is mined we get a lot of U 238 but we cannot use that. In order to get U 235 first, it would have to be enriched. The end result will leave you with depleted uranium. In order to get DU (depleted uranium) you can use three methods: Gaseous Diffusion, Gas Centrifuge, and Laser Enrichment. If you look at the pictures you can have a visual sense of how Uranium is enriched.



Picture Source: http://www.nrc.gov/materials/fuel-cycle-fac/ur-enrichment.html

=**Human Health Implications**=



Picture Source: www.notinkansas.us

“People live their lives being bombarded by gamma rays, neutrons, and charged particles produced by materials in nature and even in their own bodies.” (http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/du/du_sec02.htm#1.%20Chemical%20Properties%20of%20DU)

NU (Natural Uranium) is everywhere, but not as hazard as DU (Depleted Uranium) is everywhere in the air that we breathe. The way DU can get into the air is if it becomes uranium oxide. In order for that to occur it would have to be burn. Something negative about thing is it can get in your lungs. Because of the chemical toxicity it can be poisonous to our lungs, which cause lung damage. If you look at this drawing below here are the ways that DU might enter the body.

Laser Enrichment Process Picture Source: http://www.plasma.inpe.br/LAP_Portal/LAP_Site/Figures/Laser_Separation.gif

NU (Natural Uranium) U 238 is not very useful until it is enrich and become U 235 depleted uranium. The product that use depleted uranium is nuclear bombs and nuclear power plants.

=**Environmental Implications**=

Uranium is a natural element and also has a weak radioactive. Uranium occurs naturally in the environment and is all over its in soil, rock, water, and food. The element Uranium we take up in small amount each day. It is a environmental friendly element unlike the other elements. But the things this element can do our dangerous depending on how you use it. One way this element can impact the environment in a bad is when it is enriched then this form DU (Depleted Uranium). DU is used in this like Nuclear Bomb, which can have a negative affect on the environment because it create massive amount of energy that destroys life and as a result leaves things in the environment unstable for living things. People can get killed plants dies and also physical alteration of how things on the plants looks like.

**Economic/Political Impact:**
If Uranium was banned the people that would be most affected by this is United States government and other country governments that uses Uranium. this material because they use it in war affairs. Since this material would be banned their weapons would not be affective they then would have to find a substitute which can be difficult. The industries that would be impacted in a negative way are Nuclear Power Plants. Since they use Uranium to start their generator to create electric energy this would cause a halt in uranium energy productions. The cost of these companies to convert to other resources would cost lots of money that they will have a big problem putting up. Instead of them making a profit they are losing money. If Uranium were to be banned nuclear bombs would be no more. Military use of ammunition that contains uranium to pierce targets more effectively would not be used which can lead to many political problems for us protecting the country. The countries that would have problems with these changes are countries like United State, China, Japan, Russia, and other countries that use Uranium. If this were to be banned American safety and health would improve a great deal. Since this product would not be used in war affairs their would be no use for nuclear bombs that can cause long term effects on humans that can cause offspring to have birth defects, lung affections, and damaged cells.

=**Summary**=

Uranium is a natural element that is everywhere and is mostly in everything and we really cannot just ban it. This natural element can cause a problem when it’s enrich and used for other proposes like getting electric energy and making nuclear bombs. The action if there were any to be taken because this element does not cause health problems to humans because we get exposed to this element everyday. The one this really causes to humans is when it is enrich which can lead to lung poisoning, offspring’s with birth defects, and cell damage. There is no cost or benefits of this element being banned because it’s not going to happen.

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