CHART OF THE NUCLIDES
DOE-HDBK-1019/1-93
Atomic and Nuclear Physics
In the case of uranium, the natural uranium ore is 0.72 a/o uranium-235. The desired outcome
of the enrichment process is to produce enriched uranium. Enriched uranium is defined as
uranium in which the isotope uranium-235 has a concentration greater than its natural value. The
enrichment process will also result in the byproduct of depleted uranium. Depleted uranium is
defined as uranium in which the isotope uranium-235 has a concentration less than its natural
value. Although depleted uranium is referred to as a by-product of the enrichment process, it
does have uses in the nuclear field and in commercial and defense industries.
Summary
The important information in this chapter is summarized below.
Chart of the Nuclides Summary
Enriched uranium is uranium in which the isotope uranium-235 has a
concentration greater than its natural value of 0.7%.
Depleted uranium is uranium in which the isotope uranium-235 has a
concentration less than its natural value of 0.7%.
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