americium Synonyms
No Synonyms and anytonyms found
americium Meaning
americium (n)
a radioactive transuranic metallic element; discovered by bombarding uranium with helium atoms
americium Sentence Examples
- Americium is a synthetic element with the atomic number 95 and is represented by the symbol Am on the periodic table.
- Discovered in 1944, americium was initially produced as part of the Manhattan Project during World War II.
- Americium is commonly used in smoke detectors, where its radioactive properties help detect the presence of smoke particles in the air.
- The isotope americium-241 is a primary source of alpha particles and is employed in various industrial applications, including thickness gauges and neutron sources.
- The production of americium involves irradiating plutonium-239 in nuclear reactors, where some of the plutonium absorbs neutrons and transforms into americium.
- Americium-241 undergoes radioactive decay, emitting alpha particles and transforming into neptunium-237 over time.
- Due to its radioactivity, americium requires careful handling and disposal in nuclear waste facilities to prevent environmental contamination.
- Americium is named after the Americas, reflecting the fact that it was first synthesized in the United States.
- Scientists continue to study the properties and potential applications of americium, contributing to our understanding of nuclear physics.
- While americium has some practical uses, its radioactive nature requires responsible management and regulation to ensure safety.
FAQs About the word americium
a radioactive transuranic metallic element; discovered by bombarding uranium with helium atoms
No synonyms found.
No antonyms found.
Americium is a synthetic element with the atomic number 95 and is represented by the symbol Am on the periodic table.
Discovered in 1944, americium was initially produced as part of the Manhattan Project during World War II.
Americium is commonly used in smoke detectors, where its radioactive properties help detect the presence of smoke particles in the air.
The isotope americium-241 is a primary source of alpha particles and is employed in various industrial applications, including thickness gauges and neutron sources.