zinc

/ziɳk/

Thân thiện

A worker coats a steel beam with zinc to prevent rust.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A bluish-white, lustrous metallic element (symbol Zn, atomic number 30). It is brittle at room temperature but becomes malleable when heated. Zinc is used in a wide variety of alloys (like brass) and for galvanizing iron to prevent rust. It occurs naturally primarily as zinc sulphide in the mineral sphalerite (zinc blende).

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To coat or cover (especially iron or steel) with a layer of zinc, typically to protect it from corrosion. This process is called galvanization.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Zinc is an essential mineral for human health.
  • The roof was made of corrugated zinc.
  • Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.

• Verb:

  • The steel beams were zinced to prevent rusting.
  • They decided to zinc the old iron fence.

Advanced Usage

• "Zinc oxide": A white powder (ZnO) used as a pigment, in ointments for skin protection, and in rubber manufacturing.

  • Zinc oxide is a common ingredient in sunscreen lotions.

• "Zinc deficiency": A lack of sufficient zinc in the body, which can cause health problems.

  • Zinc deficiency can impair the immune system.

Variants and Related Words

• Zinced/Zincked (verb, past tense): Coated with zinc.

  • The zinced metal had a dull grey appearance.

• Zincing/Zincking (verb, present participle/gerund): The process of coating with zinc.

  • The zincing of the ship's hull was a meticulous job.

• Galvanize (verb): A more common synonym for the verb "to zinc," meaning to coat iron or steel with a protective layer of zinc.

  • They chose to galvanize the steel structure.

Synonyms

• Noun: Spelter (commercial name for zinc, especially impure forms).
• Verb: Galvanize, plate (with zinc).

Related Phrases

• "Zinc plating": The process of applying a thin coating of zinc to a metal object.

  • Zinc plating provides excellent corrosion resistance for small parts.

• "Zinc blende": Another name for the mineral sphalerite, the chief ore of zinc.

  • The mine was rich in zinc blende.

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms directly centered on the word "zinc." Its usage is primarily technical and scientific.)

Học thuật

Noun

1. a bluish-white lustrous metallic element; brittle at ordinary temperatures but malleable when heated; used in a wide variety of alloys and in galvanizing iron; it occurs naturally as zinc sulphide in zinc blende

Verb

1. coat or cover with zinc

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Zn
• atomic number 30