How to enrich Uranium - Periodic Table of Videos

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Uranium enrichment has been in the headlines lately - but what does it mean exactly?
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27 сен 2009

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Комментарии : 282

@TehOak 11 лет назад

I could listen to this guy all day. I wish I had someone as interesting as this when I was at school. What a legend.

@CanadianBalrog 11 лет назад

We're all on the government's list now, man.

@spuddoesthings5071 8 лет назад

This man looks like science

@MarkHirstSWL 14 лет назад

If people like the Professor and his colleagues were on TV more often than some of the 'science journalists', the public would be much better informed about these sort of issues. Please keep up the good work!

@punishedexistence 13 лет назад

I love how the Prof's glasses double as safety goggles, that is a dedicated man. Always enjoy listening to him explain things, very articulate and easy to understand. As always, very informative video!

@Frost87112 12 лет назад

the puffy hair makes him look more legit.

@j7ndominica051 9 лет назад

I respect Professor Martyn Poliakoff for explaining these processes in as much detail as possible within the time allotted, and without witholding key knowledge. Other authors here would rather experience and learn 'for' us, and only film the results to boast about what they have obtained in dangerous experiments. The Professor didn't as us a membership of his college, or certain prior knowledge or experience with materials, which is unlike how it usually happens.

@TheSMLIFfilms 11 лет назад

i am officially closer to nuclear weapons than north korea

@gbponz 14 лет назад

Depleted uranium is used both in ammo, specically in antitank, and in armor. It is used for its density, and in the case of armor piercing ammmo, for its incendiary properties.

@bjently 6 лет назад

This man is science in human form.

@FatumAlpha 11 лет назад

7:41 "I think like a lot of things in life the basic idea is really simple, but actually executing it, so you don't end up with clouds of radioactife UF6 pouring all over the place is actually not trivial." I totally hear you. :-D

@dclaver2 13 лет назад

So if you have 99.3% U238 and .7% U235 in a jar, how do separate the 235 from 238? He might have said it in the video, and if he did then I missed it.

@KaiPlews 9 лет назад

Well darn, there goes my weekend science project with the kids. I guess its plan B, make some triazadienyl fluoride.

@TngMutantNinjaTroll 11 лет назад

Not if you want to make bombs but U238 was, in fact, weaponized. U238 is heavier and has higher density then Lead so military used it to make armor piercing ammunition and heavier ordnance because, being heavier, depleted uranium projectile carries more kinetic energy and it's hardness allows it to pierce hard materials(like armor) instead of squashing itself on them like lead projectiles do.

@brotheryang 13 лет назад

Two things i want from this guy First is his mind or at least some of his knowledge and the second is his hair i just love it.

@GuppyPal 14 лет назад

I love science! Videos like this inspire me to learn all that I can and do better in my studies. Thanks, periodicvideos.

@theromans6108 14 лет назад

Thanks for all the videos you've made for us prof. I greatly enjoy them and find them so informative! Much love from California, US.

@zillionz 12 лет назад

I would go to study in the University of Nottingham just to study under this scientist... very easy listen to and knows EXACTLY what he is talking about, and could put Uranium enrichment considerations into complete layman's terms so anyone could understand it, which is an important aspect of being a great scientist. great channel, subbed

@skonkfactory 14 лет назад

The photo of the Manhattan Project enrichment facility was actually a photo of the calutron, which was basically a huge mass spectrometer. It worked by using a beam of uranium ions and a magnetic field; the heavier particles were deflected less by the field as they had more kinetic energy.

@nicougrikify 9 лет назад

Uranium and fluorine.. who the hell got that idea ? hahah sounds like a scary compound.

@PsychoStorm88 14 лет назад

Another fantastically informative video! Loved it! Thanks guys!!

@FNPetersen 11 лет назад

Weapons grade uranium makes a perfectly stable and controllable reactor. In fact, it tends to have a more negative temperature coefficient of reactivity than commercial grade.

@therealsporadicaarmy 14 лет назад

depleted U238 is also used for armor piercing bullets

@Clint945 10 лет назад

Typically 90%+ is concidered weapons grade. You don't need much of it to make a bomb, but it needs to be close to pure U235 in order for the bomb to be effective. By comparison, 5% U235 would be perfectly suitable for a reactor. So you can quite easily tell the difference between weapons and reactor grade, you won't "accidentally" make weapons grade stuff.

@pamuva 9 лет назад

depleted Uranium is used in aircraft as a mass balance weight for flight controls to control high speed "flutter". uncontrolled flight control flutter can destroy an aircraft in seconds. (search on youtube for vids) so depleted uranium is used to ensure everything is balanced, and hence, stop flutter.

@MrGreencat5 11 лет назад

He has a water bottle collection. he started it because he said he had one in a lecture and then decided he needed to make one, so if anyone asked to see it he would have something to show them.

@ThePhildalegend 14 лет назад

This may sound like an overused cliche but this scientist actually makes science interesting. lol

@dannyboyfour 14 лет назад

Man these videos are awesome! and this is my favourite one so far! Keep up the great work :)

@00a00s00d00f00 14 лет назад

As always, wonderful video. Thank you for posting.

@dhwanitchem 14 лет назад

Excellent and Flawless editing!!

@BurningFeetMan 14 лет назад

Bravo. Wonderful video! I absolutely love watching these!!!

@Wysthric 13 лет назад

That was fantastic, both of you. I wasn't aware one isotope was used destructively and one constructively - this has been good to know. :D

@EzyoMusic 14 лет назад

You guys are great! Awesome video.

@iseesquares 14 лет назад

this is a very interesting subject i have been studying atoms in my grade 10 science class and barely understood because my teacher rushed through , i have learned more from this professor than my school teacher :D thank you

@xpinkdrummerx 14 лет назад

wow ! i love these videos !! really informative ! and interesting

@SCARRIOR 10 лет назад

You can tell he was going to do a mad scientist evil laugh at 2:35

@Truthiness231 14 лет назад

Yeah same here. It's definitely one of the best RU-vid video series out there.

@sherlock72 13 лет назад

Wow, Great Explanation! Thank You very Much!

@Legolaaa 14 лет назад

Sweet deal! I had no idea of how they enriched Uranium! UF6 definitely one of my favorite compounds now :P Great video!

@JupiterRoom 14 лет назад

sure, so where can I buy neutrons? I couldnt find any on ebay.

@OZ1OS 11 лет назад

Thank You so much for Your instructive and AWESOME videos! :-)

@StephenSternGoth 6 лет назад

wow you are very good at explaining that watched how it's made and another video but you make more sense

@JosephCoxH 14 лет назад

Excellent as usual.

@KarbineKyle 13 лет назад

Uranium and other actinides (metallic form) are also pyrophoric (meaning it can oxidize easily with the air, causing sparks from the fine particles to ingite and even cause a fire.) The seperation of isotopes such as U-235 from U-238 requires a lot of energy. Many actinide isotopes are very unstable and radioactive, that they produce their own thermal radiation (heat), that they must be stored inside tungsten carbide. It has a much higher melting point than lead, and good radiation shielding.

@xja85mac 14 лет назад

Wonderful explanation!

@RustyCyler 14 лет назад

very cool video guys, I learned a lot.

@MephistoRolling 14 лет назад

excellent explanation helped a lot!

@DoktorBaglioni 14 лет назад

Superb explanation!

@hawks1ish 9 лет назад

A centrifuge enrichment facility only takes up the space and energy requirements of a supermarket whereas a diffusion enrichment facility takes up acres and acres of space and ridiculous amounts of electricity.

@JerryKitich 14 лет назад

did a little research "DU counterweights have been used primarily in wide-body aircraft on rudders, outboard ailerons (wing assembly), and outboard elevators (tail assembly). Counterweights come in a variety of weights and shapes, and numerous weights and shapes are used in some aircraft. The DU counterweight can range in weight from 0.23 to 77 kg." "Some aircraft used for military and cargo also use DU The Boeing Company made helicopters using DU as a rotor tip weight prior to 1979.

@safolincon 14 лет назад

Very Educative. Thanks!

@MVrockersPS3 12 лет назад

thanks for the tut!

@hagiadzo 14 лет назад

I learned all about this in my high school chemistry class, as I grew up very close to the Goodyear Uranium Enrichment Plant in southern Ohio. Gaseous diffusion operations were shut down a few years ago, and now they've begun using centrifuge technology to enrich uranium to a non-weapons grade assay.

@alanna4858 14 лет назад

oooooh its a looong one!!! I love them.... wow! thanks guys. much appreciated!

@spencerchamp 13 лет назад

Thanks for making a video on this! I now have a way to enrich my Uranium.

@mj23thegoat 14 лет назад

Wow, I learned something today. Thanks

@cetGT3 8 лет назад

where can I get hold of the raw material???

@ethanmarcus2089 11 лет назад

This is awesome uranium is my favorite element on the periodic table

@RyuseiKitadama 11 лет назад

I'm curious why 235 is more radioactive than 238. What is it about the internal structure of the nucleus having 3 fewer neutrons that enables it to overcome the strong nuclear force. Is it the repulsiveness of the positrons that prevents them from being able to pack together too tightly? Is that what results in beta+ decay?

@____42 9 лет назад

This professor is brilliant!

@IcedStick 12 лет назад

very informative, thank you.

@moneill8t6 14 лет назад

7:51 "Clouds of radioactive UF6 pouring all over the place!!" Epic!

@shamarone 11 лет назад

I must say, I was very fortunate to have an interesting professor for chemistry. not quite equal with this gent, but very close.

@JonatanGronoset 14 лет назад

Thanks for explaining the enrichment process. I'm interested in nuclear science so this was good help. :3

@HansVanIngelgom 14 лет назад

IIRC, there are about 3-4 talks about liquid thorium fluoride ractors at googletechtalks. But it's great you mention it, I've always wanted to know the professors' opinion about the subject. In any case, I liked watching them, it's a mix between nuclear physics and chemistry.

@ethanmarcus2089 11 лет назад

Thanks this was super cool, uranium is my favorite element on the periodic table, if I could make a request, could you talk about the superactinides?

@laurasayshello 14 лет назад

loveee these videos! :)

@iseesquares 14 лет назад

i love the professor!

@cyberprodigy 14 лет назад

Nice explanation

@TeamVacaville 14 лет назад

Fascinating!

@ASAM90 13 лет назад

Very helpful! Respect and love from pakistan for u sir.

@SomeDude881 13 лет назад

I don't know why but you look really smart! I think it is because of your hair. Good informative video.

@Itfeelsmoist Год назад

Great Scott

@diamonddill 14 лет назад

man this is good stuff!! i really enjoy these videos. just a thought... maybe if he filmed in front of a green screen.. he could make the background look as if he was giving this lecture from frankenstein laboratory hehe.. now that would be pretty cool

@soberek 11 лет назад

But why the lighter U-235 isotope is more unstable? I thought when you have the heavier isotope of something, it would be easier to brake apart. But I see here that it's not. Or is it the lower number of neutrons that makes extra neutrons more likely to "stick" to that core and provoke it's fission? Someone help please.

@Flapjacktastic 14 лет назад

i love that guys hair! :D

@AbitrarySage 10 лет назад

1000th like! And great video, as usual.

@wassahilden 14 лет назад

Brilliant.

@TadRaunch 14 лет назад

Hahah I didn't notice that until I scrolled down toward the end and saw your comment!

@gvi341984 14 лет назад

Thanks again

@shadowraptor888 14 лет назад

nice to know, tnx for the recap ;-)

@alvarocafe 9 лет назад

I love your videos! Have you thought about making a video about the liquid fluoride thorium reactor (LFTR)?

@DailyGrower 14 лет назад

Love his hair

@RikvanDoorn1 11 лет назад

i want this guy as my science teacher...

@TurboXtr3me 9 лет назад

whats with scientists and the crazy hair?

@Depthhider 14 лет назад

Now correct me if im wrong, but i am pretty shure that the teflon was not used for ww2, that picture he showed where calutrons, huge elctomagnetic seperators. The u 238 was fed through the magnetic field and due to the different masses the 235 would be seperated, though this process was slow and required a lot of calutrons. I recently visted Oakridge and everything i saw and heard never once mentioned teflon.

@RealRaynedance 14 лет назад

AAaaaah I just started with atoms and stuff today in Physical Science... time to finally make good use of these videos :D

@carl95125 11 лет назад

The pic you showed in the video was the "Alpha Track Calutron at the Y-12 Plant at Oak Ridge, Tennessee from the Manhattan Project, used for uranium enrichment."ref: "Calutron"-Wikipedia using electromagnetic isotope separation. K-25 was the gaseous diffusion plant. Read about "Enriched Uranium" on Wikipedia...

@beeble2003 11 лет назад

Actually, the Manhattan Project used electromagnetic separation in cyclotrons, as well as the gaseous diffusion method mentioned in the video. It was the magnetic windings of the cyclotrons that required the loan of nearly 15,000 tons of silver from the US Treasury.

@LOLHAMMER45678 11 лет назад

8,000 of these views are from the DPRK

@clappyslapper 14 лет назад

keep up the good work!

@goover78 9 лет назад

They stopped using Uranium in airplanes a long time ago. They used to use uranium in flight controls (ailerons, elevators and rudder) to stop flutter.

@radishpineapple74 14 лет назад

The slower velocity is important in the diffusion method of enrichment, but this doesn't mean anything in a centrifuge. Centrifuges basically create an artificial "gravity." As you know, gravity causes heavier things to sink to the bottom and lighter things to float up top. Note the stratification of the earth itself - heavy iron is at the bottom and gases are at the top. "Bottom" in a centrifuge is near the edge, and "top" is in the center, where "gravity" (centrifugal force) is the the least.

@MasterVos007 14 лет назад

Doesn't the U238 have a slower velocity (bigger mass) and thus stay more in the center? In the video it's explained the other way around.

@pachris 14 лет назад

Great vid, explains a lot. Can I ask you something Prof? What would you have to do with 235 after the whole process... how much less stable is it? Is it hard to handle? These are all particles right? Is it hard to get the mined uranium ready for the centrifuge and to take it out after the process? 238 is a lot less reactive? How much is a lot? Precautions in the lab? Thx!

@kennethdehart8748 11 лет назад

Even if I had like a ton of americium? Say I took apart like 300 smoke detectors and packed it all inside the lead pipe, would that generate enough neutrons? And is there any way to direct the neutron radiation (like basically shooting it). Also, I have a lot of radium paint (struck a gold mine at an antique mall on the clocks), is it true you can use radium instead of using americium to create neutron particles?

@CanadaJarod 11 лет назад

yes, its sometimes used as a core to give armor piercing rounds more mass which means they can hit with more power, however it is not used as a nuclear weapon it self

@JerryKitich 14 лет назад

In many cases, tungsten alloy counterweights have replaced DU counterweights in aircraft. Since 1981, The Boeing Company has provided customers with tungsten replacement counterweights, and tungsten counterweights have been installed in new Boeing 747 aircraft. Tungsten equivalents have been sent as spares since 1981It is unknown how many DU counterweights are currently installed in aircraft., the number of aircraft that contain DU counterweights is decreasing

@morlanius 13 лет назад

You didnt talk about bombardment enrichment, I've read about it being done, although the process is not a far cry from a stack reactor with a central target, but I don't understand why you need to have the material in the target in a substrate, why is this? Love your videos!

@MoltenMetal613 14 лет назад

@petokyo UF6 is symmetrical, leaving no area of the molecule significantly more negatively-charged than the other. This means that the intermolecular forces between the molecules are very weak. Also, because the compound is no longer a metal, it does not have the metallic bonding that uranium has.