californium

Thân thiện

A scientist carefully handles a sample of californium in a secure laboratory.

Definition

Noun: 1. A synthetic, radioactive metallic chemical element: Californium is a man-made element with the symbol Cf and atomic number 98. It is produced in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators and is highly radioactive.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Scientists produced a few micrograms of californium for research.
  • The most stable isotope of californium has a half-life of about 898 years.
  • Neutron sources using californium-252 are used in certain industrial gauges.

Advanced Usage

• "californium-252": This specific isotope is notable as a strong neutron emitter and has practical applications in areas like neutron activation analysis and as a portable neutron source for starting nuclear reactors or in moisture gauges.
  • The portable scanner utilizes a small amount of californium-252 as a neutron source.

Variants and Related Words

• Transuranic element (n): Any chemical element with an atomic number greater than 92 (uranium). Californium is a transuranic element.
• Actinide (n): A series of radioactive metallic elements. Californium is part of the actinide series.

Synonyms

• Cf (n): The chemical symbol for californium.
• Element 98 (n): A reference to its atomic number.

Notes on Meaning

This word refers exclusively to the chemical element. It does not have other common meanings, idioms, or phrasal verbs associated with it, as it is a highly specific scientific term.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a radioactive transuranic element; discovered by bombarding curium with alpha particles

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Cf
• atomic number 98