Uranium is a heavy metal that is commonly used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity. Its most common isotope, uranium-238, is not fissile, meaning it cannot sustain a nuclear chain reaction, but it is fertile, meaning it can be converted into a fissile isotope, such as plutonium-239, through a process called breeding.

Breeding involves the absorption of a neutron by a uranium-238 nucleus, which then undergoes beta decay to become a plutonium-239 nucleus. This process allows for the creation of nuclear fuel, which is used to generate electricity in nuclear reactors.

While nuclear energy is a powerful source of electricity, it also has potential risks associated with it, such as the creation of radioactive waste and the potential for nuclear accidents. As a result, many countries are exploring alternative sources of energy such as wind, solar, and hydro power.