Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant: The WikiBook/uranium

Uranium is found worldwide in soil and rocks. Australia has the largest known reserves.

What are its uses?

Uranium is commonly used in nuclear reactors to make electricity, as well as in nuclear weapons.

Uranium is also used to test the age of very old rocks.

Uranium was used to color paints and glazes, although such use is rare today.

Uranium can also be used to color glass yellow; such uranium glass, or "vaseline glass," glows green under ultraviolet light (also known as a black light.)

Because it is so heavy, uranium is used in armor-piercing artillery bullets.

Is it dangerous?

Pure uranium can burst into flames.

Compounds with uranium in them are toxic.

Uranium is radioactive, and can lead to cancer.