All about uranium
The fuel used to produce nuclear power is called uranium. It is found in rocks in the ground. Uranium is a heavy silvery metal. It can be mined and made into nuclear fuel. The atoms in some types of uranium are easier to break up than some other substances.
Uranium is processed in a factory.
Uranium is found deep in the ground. Miners dig out and crush rocks containing uranium. They use an acid to separate the uranium from the rest of the rock. The uranium is then turned into a gas and then into a powder. These processes enrich the uranium so that it can be turned into nuclear fuel.
Uranium came from exploding stars!
Scientists believe uranium was formed when old stars exploded over six billion year ago. The uranium dust from the stars scattered throughout the Universe, eventually settling in rocks deep inside planet Earth.
Uranium is radioactive.
A radioactive substance gives off invisible rays of energy called radiation. These rays cannot be seen, tasted or felt. Uranium’s radioactivity provides some of the heat inside the Earth. This is spread out over huge areas and is harmless. However, radioactivity from nuclear fuel is more concentrated and can be very dangerous.
