answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Uranium is a fuel. It is not like a fossil fuel in that it is not consumed by burning (rapid oxidation) to produce heat.

Uranium is consumed by its radioactive decay. This process releases heat which is used, just like a fossil fuel, to make steam to run power plants. It is consumed much more slowly than is fossil fuels, and it does not release carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides and other gases to the atmosphere when it is consumed. It does create an ash, the spent fuel. Spent uranium fuel does not fly into the air the way fossil fuel ash might if not controlled, but it does have to be disposed of. - Since spent uranium fuel is radioactive, making disposal more difficult.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

5mo ago

Uranium is a fuel in the sense that it can be used to generate energy through nuclear reactions. However, the process of extracting energy from uranium is different from the combustion of fossil fuels. Nuclear reactions in uranium fuel produce heat through a process called fission, while fossil fuels release energy through combustion.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is uranium not a fuel like the fossil fuels?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Is uranium an example of a fossil fuel?

I believe the term "fossil fuels" is used for things that burn, in a chemical reaction - like coal and petroleum. Also, "fossil fuels" implies that the fuel is the remainder of fossils - as is believed to be the case with petroleum and coal.I believe the term "fossil fuels" is used for things that burn, in a chemical reaction - like coal and petroleum. Also, "fossil fuels" implies that the fuel is the remainder of fossils - as is believed to be the case with petroleum and coal.I believe the term "fossil fuels" is used for things that burn, in a chemical reaction - like coal and petroleum. Also, "fossil fuels" implies that the fuel is the remainder of fossils - as is believed to be the case with petroleum and coal.I believe the term "fossil fuels" is used for things that burn, in a chemical reaction - like coal and petroleum. Also, "fossil fuels" implies that the fuel is the remainder of fossils - as is believed to be the case with petroleum and coal.


What are two examples of non-renewable material resources?

Uranium and fossil fuels - or if you like to be clever - fissile fuels and fossil fuels... On the human time scale, fossil fuels are not being replenished. We can manufacture the same chemicals that are found in fossil fuels but we can't create new oil oil, coal and natural gas fields within our lifetimes - or for that matter within our 10,000 times great-grandchildren's lifetimes. Once Uranium has been used (in a fission reactor) it is converted to isotopes of other elements and is not replenished by natural processes.


What gas is a fossil fuel?

Carbon dioxide is a gas released when fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are burned.


What fuels are used to heat the water to steam?

Typically, fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil are used to heat water to produce steam in power plants. Other sources of energy such as nuclear power and renewable energy sources like solar and geothermal can also be used to heat water and generate steam.


How would solar heated building and floors and walls reduce fossil fuels?

Solar heated buildings use sunlight to heat the floors and walls, which reduces the need for traditional heating systems that rely on fossil fuels. By harnessing the sun's energy, these buildings can operate more sustainably and help decrease the overall demand for non-renewable resources like fossil fuels.

Related questions

Is uranium an example of a fossil fuel?

I believe the term "fossil fuels" is used for things that burn, in a chemical reaction - like coal and petroleum. Also, "fossil fuels" implies that the fuel is the remainder of fossils - as is believed to be the case with petroleum and coal.I believe the term "fossil fuels" is used for things that burn, in a chemical reaction - like coal and petroleum. Also, "fossil fuels" implies that the fuel is the remainder of fossils - as is believed to be the case with petroleum and coal.I believe the term "fossil fuels" is used for things that burn, in a chemical reaction - like coal and petroleum. Also, "fossil fuels" implies that the fuel is the remainder of fossils - as is believed to be the case with petroleum and coal.I believe the term "fossil fuels" is used for things that burn, in a chemical reaction - like coal and petroleum. Also, "fossil fuels" implies that the fuel is the remainder of fossils - as is believed to be the case with petroleum and coal.


How long does it take uranium to become a fossil fuel?

Uranium does not become a fossil fuel because it is a radioactive element used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity. Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are formed from organic matter over millions of years through a process called fossilization.


How efficient is uranium?

Uranium is an efficient fuel for nuclear power generation because its energy density is much higher than that of fossil fuels like coal or oil. In a nuclear reactor, a small amount of uranium can produce a large amount of energy through the process of nuclear fission, making it a highly efficient fuel source.


What is the difference between mineral fuel and fossil fuel?

Mineral fuel is a broad category that includes both fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas) and other resources like uranium. Fossil fuels specifically refer to hydrocarbons that formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years. So, all fossil fuels are mineral fuels, but not all mineral fuels are fossil fuels.


Why does fuel fit in fossil fuels?

Fuel fits in fossil fuels because it is oil or fossil fuels which are used as fuel. Fuel isn't necessarily petrol , it is anything that powers something, like weetbix is a fuel for your body.


What energy resources are nonrenewable?

. Fossil fuels (such as coal, petroleum and natural gas) and nuclear power (uranium) [wikipedia]


Which fuel do you use the most of in power stations in the UK?

Them most commonly used fuels in UK power stations are fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil. Nuclear fuels like plutonium and uranium are sometimes used as well.


What fossil fuels do we burn in power stations?

they burn fossil fuels like coal, fuel oil, and oil shale


What are the differences between fossil fuels and nuclear fuels?

Fossil fuels are formed from decomposed organic matter over millions of years, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, and release carbon dioxide and other pollutants when burned. Nuclear fuels, like uranium and plutonium, undergo nuclear fission reactions in reactors to produce energy without emissions of greenhouse gases, but they produce radioactive waste that needs to be carefully managed.


Why isn't nuclear fuel a fossil fuel?

Nuclear fuel is not a fossil fuel because it is not derived from organic matter like coal, oil, or natural gas. Nuclear fuel is produced from uranium ore and undergoes nuclear reactions to release energy, unlike fossil fuels which result from the decomposition of organic material over millions of years.


Why is uranium used instead of other fossil fuels?

Uranium is a source of nuclear energy, which is a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels like coal and oil. Nuclear power plants produce electricity without producing greenhouse gases, making them a cleaner option for generating electricity. Uranium also has a high energy density, meaning a small amount can produce a significant amount of energy.


Do all fossil fuels have in contain methane?

No, not all fossil fuels contain methane. Fossil fuels primarily consist of carbon and hydrogen, with varying amounts of other elements like sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen. Methane is mainly found in natural gas, which is a fossil fuel, but not all fossil fuels contain methane.