gallium
/,gæliəm/
Definition
- Noun:
- A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element: Gallium is a chemical element with the symbol Ga and atomic number 31. It is a soft, silvery metal at standard temperature and pressure.
- Properties: It is brittle at low temperatures but becomes a liquid above room temperature (melting point is approximately 29.76 °C or 85.57 °F).
- Occurrence: It occurs in trace amounts in minerals such as bauxite and zinc ores and is not found freely in nature.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Gallium is used in semiconductors and LEDs.
- Because of its low melting point, gallium can melt in your hand.
- Scientists extracted gallium from the bauxite sample.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific Context: Gallium is often discussed in materials science and electronics for its semiconductor properties.
- Gallium arsenide is a compound used in high-frequency electronic circuits.
- Metallurgical Context: It is used in alloys with low melting points.
- An alloy of gallium, indium, and tin is liquid at room temperature and used in some thermometers.
Variants and Related Words
- Gallium arsenide (GaAs) (n): A compound of gallium and arsenic used in semiconductor devices.
- Gallium nitride (GaN) (n): A compound used in blue and green LEDs and laser diodes.
Synonyms
- Element 31: Referring to its atomic number.
- Ga: Its chemical symbol.
Related Phrases and Terms
- Liquid metal: A descriptive phrase often associated with gallium due to its low melting point.
- Gallium is a well-known liquid metal.
- Trace element: Describing its occurrence in ores.
- Gallium is a valuable trace element recovered during aluminum production.
Noun
-
a rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element; brittle at low temperatures but liquid above room temperature; occurs in trace amounts in bauxite and zinc ores
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