An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A chemical compound made up of → uranium and → oxygen. The most common forms of uranium oxide are U₃O₈ and UO₂. Both oxide forms are solids that have low solubility in water and are relatively stable over a wide range of environmental conditions. Triuranium octaoxide (U₃O₈) is the most stable form of uranium and is the form most commonly found in nature. → Uranium dioxide (UO₂) is the form in which uranium is most commonly used as a → nuclear reactor fuel. At ambient temperatures, UO₂ will gradually convert to U₃O₈.

See also: → uranium; → oxide.