atomic number 38

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The phrase "atomic number 38" refers specifically to the chemical element strontium. Here’s an easy breakdown to help you understand it:

Basic Explanation

• Atomic Number: This number tells us how many protons are in the nucleus of an atom of an element. Each element has a unique atomic number.
• 38: Strontium is the 38th element on the periodic table, which means it has 38 protons.

Description of Strontium

• Soft: Strontium is not hard; it can be cut with a knife.
• Silver-white or yellowish: When you look at strontium, it has a shiny, silver color, but it can turn yellow when exposed to air.
• Metallic element: Strontium is classified as a metal, specifically a member of the alkali metal group. This means it shares some properties with other metals like sodium and potassium.

Occurrence

• Strontium is found in nature in minerals such as celestite and strontianite. These are rock-like materials that contain strontium.

Usage Example

• Basic: "Strontium has an atomic number of 38."
• In a sentence: "When exposed to air, strontium can turn yellow."

Advanced Usage

• In scientific discussions, you might see strontium mentioned in contexts like chemistry, physics, or materials science, especially when discussing its properties or uses in industries like fireworks (for red color) or in certain medical applications.

Word Variants

• Strontium (noun): The name of the element itself.
• Strontian (adjective): Related to or derived from strontium.

Different Meanings

• In the context of chemistry, the term "atomic number 38" always refers to strontium. However, "atomic number" can be used more generally to refer to the unique number assigned to any element.

Synonyms

• There are no direct synonyms for "atomic number 38" since it specifically points to strontium, but you might hear the term "alkaline earth metal" used to describe elements in its group, including strontium.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "atomic number 38" or strontium. However, in scientific discussions, you might encounter phrases like "break down" (to explain complex concepts) or "look into" (to research a topic).

Summary

"Atomic number 38" simply tells you that you are talking about the element strontium, a soft, shiny metal that can change color when exposed to air.

Academic

Noun

1. a soft silver-white or yellowish metallic element of the alkali metal group; turns yellow in air; occurs in celestite and strontianite

Synonyms

• strontium
• Sr