There is a lot of debate on which is the most heavy metal on earth. Uranium has the highest atomic weight of naturally occurring elements and since the atomic weight of the metal is the deciding factor, Uranium is found to be the heaviest metal that occurs in nature. Its atomic weight is 238 and is approximately 70 % percent more dense than lead.
When refined it is a silvery white metal, is malleable, ductile and slightly paramagnetic. In its natural form it is an unstable material which breaks apart on its own at the atomic level and is therefore said to be highly radioactive.
Tiny amounts of uranium are found everywhere but it has been mined from countries like Canada, south-west America, Australia, parts of Europe and Soviet Union. In the last few years, uranium ore was discovered in Saskatchewan and now that has become the uranium capital of the world.
Uranium has only two uses; it can either be used in atomic bombs or in reactors. But its composition has to be changed before it can be utilized and that leaves a lot of radioactive residue. People who live or work near facilities that mine or process uranium may face health risks as it is a toxic metal.
When refined it is a silvery white metal, is malleable, ductile and slightly paramagnetic. In its natural form it is an unstable material which breaks apart on its own at the atomic level and is therefore said to be highly radioactive.
Tiny amounts of uranium are found everywhere but it has been mined from countries like Canada, south-west America, Australia, parts of Europe and Soviet Union. In the last few years, uranium ore was discovered in Saskatchewan and now that has become the uranium capital of the world.
Uranium has only two uses; it can either be used in atomic bombs or in reactors. But its composition has to be changed before it can be utilized and that leaves a lot of radioactive residue. People who live or work near facilities that mine or process uranium may face health risks as it is a toxic metal.
