Definition

1. Noun:
   • A radioactive metallic element: "Atomic number 84" is the scientific identifier for the chemical element polonium (Po). It is a rare, highly radioactive, silvery-gray metal. Its properties are chemically similar to those of tellurium and bismuth. It is found in uranium ores and can also be artificially produced.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The periodic table lists polonium with the symbol 'Po' and atomic number 84.
  • Marie Curie discovered the element with atomic number 84 and named it polonium after her native Poland.
  • Due to its intense radioactivity, handling materials containing atomic number 84 requires strict safety protocols.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Context: The term "atomic number 84" is primarily used in formal scientific, chemical, and educational contexts to specify the element unambiguously by its number of protons.
  • The isotope of primary concern is polonium-210, the most common naturally occurring isotope of atomic number 84.

Variants and Related Words

• Polonium (Po): The common name for the element with atomic number 84.
• Radioelement: A general term for a radioactive element, which accurately describes atomic number 84.

Synonyms

• Polonium: The direct synonym and name for the element.
• Element 84: An alternative numerical designation.

Related Phrases

• "Occurs in uranium ores": A key phrase describing its natural source.
  • Trace amounts of atomic number 84 occur in uranium ores.
• "Produced by bombardment": A phrase describing its artificial production.
  • The laboratory synthesized atomic number 84 by bombarding bismuth with neutrons.

Noun

1. a radioactive metallic element that is similar to tellurium and bismuth; occurs in uranium ores but can be produced by bombarding bismuth with neutrons in a nuclear reactor