What is Neptunium?
Neptunium is a metallic chemical element which is classified among the actinide elements on the periodic table. It is extremely rare in nature, existing in only trace amounts in ores which contain uranium. All of the neptunium used in research is produced artificially, through the neutron bombardment of elements like uranium. Because this element is radioactive and it could potentially be used to create nuclear weapons, access to it is restricted in some regions of the world. When isolated, neptunium is silvery in color, and very reactive, combining with other elements to form an assortment of compounds, like other elements in the actinide series. It is also naturally radioactive, as are its isotopes. The element is also highly ductile. It is identified with the atomic number 93, making it the first of the transuranic elements, and its symbol is Np. Transuranic elements are elements with atomic numbers higher than that of uranium. These elements are all radioactive, with extremely shor
Neptunium is a metallic chemical element which is classified among the actinide elements on the periodic table. It is extremely rare in nature, existing in only trace amounts in ores which contain uranium. All of the neptunium used in research is produced artificially, through the neutron bombardment of elements like uranium. Because this element is radioactive and it could potentially be used to create nuclear weapons, access to it is restricted in some regions of the world. When isolated, neptunium is silvery in color, and very reactive, combining with other elements to form an assortment of compounds, like other elements in the actinide series. It is also naturally radioactive, as are its isotopes. The element is also highly ductile. It is identified with the atomic number 93, making it the first of the transuranic elements, and its symbol is Np.
