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Uranium's Discovery
- In 1789, German chemist William Claprout discovered uranium while examining pitchblende.
- Ironically, Germany, where uranium was discovered, has recently closed nuclear plants.
Uranium's Significance
- Uranium is the heaviest naturally occurring element in significant quantities on Earth.
- Trace amounts of plutonium also exist due to cosmic ray bombardment.
Uranium Abundance
- Uranium is more abundant than silver and gold, existing at 2-4 parts per million in the Earth's crust.
- It is also found in seawater, though in smaller concentrations.