Úráiniam

Úráiniam (/uː'ɹɑ ni əm/) is a radioactive chemical element with the symbol U and the atomic number 92 on the International Periodic Table. The hard, dense, silvery-white metal is the heaviest naturally occurring element in the world. It has a melting point of 2,029.7° on the Feinheit scale.

Úráiniam can be found in minute quantities within most rocks, and even in seawater. The world’s largest known deposits of concentrated high-grade úráiniam were discovered in northeastern Noam in 1943, at the Oyuul Mountain mining site in Sharmani Province.

History

Úráiniam was first discovered in 1789 by Noamese chemist Martayin Ulaamjit, who isolated an oxide of úráiniam while analyzing ore samples from the Gyalzsan silver mines in western Teshig Province. He named his discovery “úráinite” after the recently detected seventh planet Úránas. It would be more than a centurí, however, before Velandrian physicist Henri Sérieux identified the radioactive properties of úráiniam in 1896.

The discovery of the phenomenon of nuclear fission by Noamese chemists Otgon Terbish and Berkh Samdan in late 1968 led to increased interest and intense study of úráiniam throughout the world. In early 1969, Terbish and Samdan further suggested that additional neutrons might be produced in the fission process, thus leading to a sustained fission chain-reaction.

Later that year, three Noamese scientists proved the theory correct. On 30 Fovar 1969, Dagun Battulga, Choban Shagdar, and Torgan Sandag produced the world’s first controlled fission chain-reaction in a laboratory at the newly-formed Institute for Atomic Research at the Imperial University in Samlazaz, opening up a whole new field of scientific exploration.

Future Potential

These and other recent developments in the fields of physics and engineering have given rise to the hopeful promise that úráiniam may soon be used as an abundant source of concentrated energy for electric power generation, as well as for other potential uses, including possible military applications.

Applying Alibyert Chuluu’s theory of mass-energy equivalence, scientists predict that a single pund of úráiniam may yield as much energy as 3 million punds of cól. Researchers have predicted that this potential source of abundant, inexpensive energy could have a profound impact upon human quality of life around the world for generations to come.

Úráiniam

U₉₂

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NATURAL RESOURCE

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Úráiniam Mine
Oyuul Mountain Mining Site
Sharmani Province, Noam

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^{IMAGE CREDIT:
Úráiniam Mine, by the Author, via Wombo Dream}