Definition

Noun: 1. A metallic chemical element: A bluish-white, lustrous metal that is brittle at room temperature but becomes malleable when heated. It is used extensively in alloys and for galvanizing iron to prevent rust. It occurs naturally primarily as zinc sulfide in the mineral sphalerite (zinc blende). This element is represented by the symbol Zn.

Usage Examples

• The coating on many steel products is atomic number 30, which protects them from corrosion.
• Brass is an alloy of copper and atomic number 30.
• Atomic number 30 is an essential trace element for human health.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific and Technical Contexts: The term "atomic number 30" is used primarily in systematic scientific, educational, or technical writing to precisely identify the element zinc by its fundamental property—the number of protons in its nucleus.
  • The periodic table lists zinc with atomic number 30.
• Distinguishing Isotopes: The term specifies the element itself, regardless of its isotopic form.
  • All isotopes of the element with atomic number 30 share the same chemical properties.

Variants and Related Words

• Zinc (n): The common name for atomic number 30. This is the term used in everyday, commercial, and most scientific contexts.
  • We need to buy some zinc for the experiment.
• Zn (n): The chemical symbol for the element.
  • The formula is ZnSO₄.

Synonyms

• Zinc: The direct and most frequently used synonym.
• Spelter: A commercial name for impure zinc, especially in the context of slabs or ingots.

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Zinc oxide: A compound (ZnO) used in ointments, paints, and as a sunscreen agent.
• Zinc carbonate: A compound (ZnCO₃) found as the mineral smithsonite.
• Zinc blende: The common mineral form of zinc sulfide (ZnS), also called sphalerite.

Noun

1. a bluish-white lustrous metallic element; brittle at ordinary temperatures but malleable when heated; used in a wide variety of alloys and in galvanizing iron; it occurs naturally as zinc sulphide in zinc blende