radium
/'reidjəm/
Definition
- Noun:
- A highly radioactive metallic chemical element: Radium is a naturally occurring, silvery-white metal that is intensely radioactive. It is found in very small quantities in uranium ores.
Usage
- Radium is used as a scientific term in chemistry and physics. It is typically discussed in historical, medical, or scientific contexts due to its radioactivity and past applications.
- It is an uncountable noun when referring to the element as a substance (e.g., "a sample of radium").
Examples
- Noun:
- Marie Curie discovered the elements polonium and radium.
- The old watch dials were painted with radium-based paint to make them glow in the dark.
- Exposure to radium can be extremely hazardous to health.
Advanced Usage
- "Radium therapy": A historical medical treatment using radium's radiation, primarily for certain cancers.
- Radium therapy was a common treatment in the early 20th century.
Variants and Related Words
- Radon (n): A radioactive gaseous element that is a decay product of radium.
- Radon gas can accumulate in poorly ventilated basements.
Synonyms
- Element 88: Referring to radium by its atomic number.
- Ra: The chemical symbol for radium.
Notes on Meaning
- Radium is specifically an element (a basic substance) and not a general term for radioactivity. Its primary defining characteristic is its intense radioactivity, which is a key part of its identity and historical significance.
Noun
-
an intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ chứa "radium"
Từ có nhắc đến "radium"
