Uranium
Radioactive Man Lyrics
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Barium has fifty-six,
the difference is thirty-six.
What has thirty-six protons?
Krypton has thirty-six.
Could it be that I was getting Krypton along with my Barium?
If it was was so, it could mean but one thing;
without knowing it, I had been splitting Uranium atoms.
In "Uranium" by Radioactive Man, the lyrics start off listing the number of protons for two elements, Uranium and Barium. Uranium has 92 protons and Barium has 56, making the difference between the two elements 36. Then the lyrics ask what element has 36 protons, revealing that it is Krypton. The singer then wonders if he had unknowingly been splitting Uranium atoms and getting Krypton as a byproduct alongside Barium. This revelation would mean that the singer has been engaged in nuclear fission without even realizing it.
The theme of the song is science-based and atomic in nature, with the lyrics riffing on the periodic table and the nuclear properties of certain elements. The lyrics are somewhat educational in nature, providing an explanation of the number of protons in each of the mentioned elements. The song can also be read as a commentary on the dangers of nuclear energy and the potential for accidents such as nuclear meltdowns caused by human error.
Line by Line Meaning
Uranium has ninety-two protons,
Uranium has an atomic number of 92, indicating the number of protons it has.
Barium has fifty-six,
Barium has an atomic number of 56, indicating the number of protons it has.
the difference is thirty-six.
The difference between the atomic numbers of Uranium and Barium is 36.
What has thirty-six protons?
The element with an atomic number of 36 has thirty-six protons.
Krypton has thirty-six.
The element with an atomic number of 36 is Krypton.
Could it be that I was getting Krypton along with my Barium?
The singer is wondering if they accidentally had Krypton in their sample of Barium.
If it was was so, it could mean but one thing;
If Krypton was present, something significant would have occurred.
without knowing it, I had been splitting Uranium atoms.
The significant event would be the unintentional splitting of Uranium atoms from the Barium sample, which is what the artist suspects happened.
Writer(s): Keith Tenniswood
Contributed by Parker N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.