The following is typical, but there are a number of variations, mostly minor:
Uranium is first found by exploration. It is then mined. The ore is milled to produce small pieces, which are then chemically leached to produce an uranate called yellocake. The yellowcake is reacted to produce uranium hexafluoride , which is then run through centrifuges to separate a heavier fraction from a lighter fraction. The lighter fraction is the enriched material used for power plants, the heavier is referred to as depleted. The enriched uranium is chemically converted to another oxide, uranium dioxide, and this is converted into the form of fuel used in plants, commonly by pressing and sintering. The fuel is encased in cladding of special steels or zircaloy, and then is ready to be put into the reactor.
There is a link to a more detailed answer below.
Uranium was used in bombs as explosive. The nuclear fission of uranium-235 (or other isotopes) release a huge amount of energy.
Now atomic bombs with uranium are rare; they are replaced by plutonium bombs or thermonuclear bombs (fusion bombs).
* Reduction of uranium halides (UCl4, UF4) with Ca, Mg, etc.
* Electrolysis of UF4 or KU5
* Thermal decomposition of uranium halides on hot filaments
Two sections of uranium are kept apart in the bomb casing, each smaller than the "critical mass". To detonate, one piece, shaped like a cannon ball, is fired down a tube into the other piece of uranium. The rapid assembly of a critical mass results in a nuclear explosion.
Uranium is not man made, it is a natural chemical element extracted from uranium minerals.
- as uranium sintered dioxide pellets
- as uranium carbide
- as mixed oxides (MOX = uranium and plutonium dioxide)
- as uranium-zirconium-erbium hydrides
etc.
The externall shells or the penetrators are frequently made in USA and Israel from depleted uranium metal because uranium has a great density (19,1 g/cm3) so a great kinetic energy.
It is possible but depleted uranium is used for bigger penetrators.
1. Uranium is used as an explosive in fission bombs. 2. Uranium is not used in medicine.
Yes, enriched uranium can be used in atomic bombs.
Uranium 235 is a fissile material under thermal neutrons: - uranium 235 is used as a nuclear fuel in nuclear energetic reactors - uranium 235 can be used in nuclear bombs
Disadvantages of enriched uranium:- it is very difficult to prepare- can be used for bombs- the price is prohibitive- need of a complicate and expensive technology
China use uranium as nuclear fuel or for atomic bombs.
Yes, uranium can be used in atomic bombs.
Uranium is used in atomic bombs - bombs with uranium 235 (enriched more than 20%, with 92% or 93% being typical weapons grade uranium, also called orealloy for Oak Ridge Alloy).
1. Uranium is used as an explosive in fission bombs. 2. Uranium is not used in medicine.
Uranium and Plutonium
Uranium which is a fuel is used in atomic bombs and in nuclear power stations.
Uranium-235 (not uranium-238) is used in atomic bombs; under nuclear fission with neutrons uranium release an enormous quantity of energy (202,5 MeV per one atom of 235U).
Yes, enriched uranium can be used in atomic bombs.
In bombs and nuclear power plants
Uranium is enriched in the isotope uranium-235, producing uranium-238 as waste.
If we are talking about the nuclear bombs used in ww2, 1 plutonium bomb and 1 uranium bomb.
No mineral. Two metals- uranium and plutonium- are used in atomic bombs.
No, plutonium is used more. Uranium can only be used in gun type nuclear weapons, which are rarely used.