Definition

Noun: 1. A synthetic, radioactive metallic element: Nobelium is a man-made chemical element with the symbol No and atomic number 102. It is part of the actinide series, is highly radioactive, and has no stable isotopes.

Usage

• Nobelium is produced artificially in particle accelerators and has no applications outside of basic scientific research.
• Due to its radioactivity and extremely short half-life, nobelium is studied only in trace amounts for nuclear chemistry and physics experiments.

Examples

• "The discovery of nobelium was claimed by research teams in Sweden, the United States, and the Soviet Union."
• "Scientists synthesized nobelium by bombarding a curium target with carbon ions."
• "Because all isotopes of nobelium decay quickly, it is not found in nature."

Advanced Usage

• In nuclear chemistry: The term is used to discuss the properties, synthesis, or position in the periodic table of this transuranic element.
  • Example: "The chemical behavior of nobelium in aqueous solution is of particular interest to actinide chemists."

Variants and Related Words

• Symbol: No (The chemical symbol for nobelium).
• Actinide (n): Any of a series of radioactive metallic elements from atomic number 89 to 103, of which nobelium is a member.
• Transuranic element (n): Any chemical element with an atomic number greater than 92 (uranium), all of which are synthetic and radioactive.

Synonyms

• Element 102 (This is a direct reference to its atomic number).
• Synthetic element (This describes its man-made origin, though it is a category, not a unique synonym).

Notes on Meaning

The word nobelium refers exclusively to the chemical element. It does not have idiomatic meanings or phrasal verbs. Its usage is confined to scientific contexts, primarily chemistry and physics.

Noun

1. a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known