Uranium
What is it and what does it do?
Uranium was discovered in 1789 by Martin Klaproth, a German chemist. Uranium is a non-renewable energy source if we use it all none will be left. Uranium is found just about everywhere it's found in soil rivers and lakes small amounts of uranium is even found in human tissue. Uranium is also very common some of you would find it in your back yard. But very concentrated uranium is only found in hard rock and sandstone.
Uranium is used for nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is energy created by splitting atoms. When the atoms of uranium are split it creates a chain reaction, this chain reaction produces lots of heat so scientists use water to cool it. The water then turns into steam and goes into the pipes and spins a turbine. The turbine powers a generator and the generator produces electricity.
Uranium is used in nuclear energy and nuclear weapons but it is also used to power homes businesses and even cities. The only thing that is stopping everyone from using this energy source is its dangerous pollution. When the water used in the reactor is polluted scientists can't use it again so they have waste ponds filled with toxic waste. Anyone could use this energy source but because of its dangerous waste some people are hesitant to use it.