URANIUM ANIMATION: Uranium atom

URANIUM atomic structure

Atomic Structure of Uranium: animation of a semi-classical view of an atom of Uranium with a central solid nucleus and orbiting electrons. The electrons are shown as yellow spheres that are attracted to the dense nucleus. In "reality", electrons in atoms are more like standing waves but the old planetary model is easier to picture. The nucleus, which consists of protons (shown in red) and neutrons (shown in grey) is shown with its particles heaving and moving. URANIUM (chemical symbol U) is a very heavy radioactive metallic element with 92 protons (atomic number = 92) and 92 electrons. The number of neutrons varies and so several isotopes are found. The nucleus is rather unstable and can split (nuclear fission). The roiling particles in the video suggest the nucleus is only just holding together. Uranium is important in nuclear power reactors and has been used in atomic bombs.