In power reactors the fuel is uranium enriched slightly to about 4 percent U235 (the fissile isotope), whereas for a bomb you need the U235 as high as possible, in the high 90's I believe.
Uranium which is a fuel is used in atomic bombs and in nuclear power stations.
In bombs and nuclear power plants
Yes, uranium is used in nuclear weapons, specifically in nuclear fission bombs. The two main isotopes of uranium used for this purpose are uranium-235 and uranium-238. When these isotopes undergo a fission chain reaction, a large amount of energy is released, leading to the explosive power of the nuclear weapon.
In the nucleus of the fuel material, such as uranium-235
atomic bombs get there power from the energy released by splitting an atom. A nucleus is fired into an unstable isotopse such as Uranium 235 and the Uranium is split into two daughter nuclei. A cloud of electrons, along with some energy, is released. Each of the electrons in turn splits another atom, creating a large chain reaction, and this releases enough energy to power an atomic bomb.
Uranium has to be refined to be used and can actually be used as a power source.
Oak Ridge was built to separate Uranium 235 from Uranium 238. Uranium 235 is the fissile isotope of natural Uranium, suitable for use in bombs or power generation. 99+% of Uranium is U 238 and U 235 is less than one per cent.
Uranium fuels for nuclear power reactors Depleted uranium for munitions, armors and shields Uranium in nuclear bombs Other minor uses: colouring agent for glass and ceramics, catalysts in organic chemistry, mordant for textiles, in dentistry, photographic material, etc.
When it comes to heavy elements that are used in weapons and in reactors, uranium and plutonium are both candidates. The first atomic bombs were made of uranium, and they are now pretty much made of plutonium. Some special nuclear reactors are powered by plutonium fuel, but most reactors for power generation use (enriched) uranium for fuel. Links are provided to relevant articles posted by our friends at Wikipedia, where knowledge is free.
Uranium hexafluoride (hex) is a compound of uranium that becomes a gas when heated. In gaseous form, it can be "enriched". Enriched uranium is needed for research reactors, most non-Canadian power reactors, and bombs.
Uranium is the element commonly used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants and as the primary material for nuclear bombs. It undergoes nuclear reactions such as fission to release large amounts of energy.
Uranium in nature is only about 0.7% 235U. In order to have a chain reaction, the percentage of 235U must be increased by enrichment. The percentages of 235U in nuclear reactors are generally low, about 3% to 5%. For bombs, the percentage is generally 85% or more.