radium (Meaning)
radium (n)
an intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores
radium (n.)
An intensely radioactive metallic element found (combined) in minute quantities in pitchblende, and various other uranium minerals. Symbol, Ra; atomic weight, 226.4. was discovered by M. and Mme. Curie, of Paris, who in 1902 separated compounds of it by a tedious process from pitchblende. Its compounds color flames carmine and give a characteristic spectrum. It resembles barium chemically. preparations are remarkable for maintaining themselves at a higher temperature than their surroundings, and for their radiations, which are of three kinds: alpha rays, beta rays, and gamma rays (see these terms). By reason of these rays they ionize gases, affect photographic plates, cause sores on the skin, and produce many other striking effects. Their degree of activity depends on the proportion of radium present, but not on its state of chemical combination or on external conditions.The radioactivity of radium is therefore an atomic property, and is explained as result from a disintegration of the atom. This breaking up occurs in at least seven stages; the successive main products have been studied and are called radium emanation or exradio, radium A, radium B, radium C, etc. (The emanation is a heavy gas, the later products are solids.) These products are regarded as unstable elements, each with an atomic weight a little lower than its
Synonyms & Antonyms of radium
No Synonyms and anytonyms found
radium Sentence Examples
- The discovery of radium in 1898 revolutionized the field of science and medicine.
- Marie Curie, the renowned physicist, dedicated her life to studying radium and its properties.
- Radium's intense radioactivity led to its early use in medical treatments, particularly for skin conditions.
- The first radium clock, invented in 1913, utilized radium's glow-in-the-dark properties.
- During the early 20th century, radium was incorporated into various household products, including toiletries and glow-in-the-dark paints.
- However, radium's harmful effects, including cancer and radiation poisoning, eventually became evident.
- The production of radium paints for watch dials reached its peak during the 1920s, resulting in the "Radium Girls" tragedy.
- The discovery of radium's decay properties contributed to the development of nuclear physics and the understanding of the atom.
- Modern applications of radium include its use in certain types of cancer treatments and as a neutron source in nuclear reactors.
- The legacy of radium serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of responsible and ethical handling of radioactive materials.
FAQs About the word radium
an intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium oresAn intensely radioactive metallic element found (combined) in minute quan
No synonyms found.
No antonyms found.
The discovery of radium in 1898 revolutionized the field of science and medicine.
Marie Curie, the renowned physicist, dedicated her life to studying radium and its properties.
Radium's intense radioactivity led to its early use in medical treatments, particularly for skin conditions.
The first radium clock, invented in 1913, utilized radium's glow-in-the-dark properties.
