Actinide: meaning, definitions and examples
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actinide
[ ˈæk.tɪ.naɪd ]
chemical element
Actinides are a series of 15 chemical elements in the periodic table with atomic numbers ranging from 89 to 103. They are typically characterized by their radioactivity and are found in the bottom row of the f-block of the periodic table. The actinide series includes well-known elements such as uranium and thorium, which are used in nuclear energy applications.
Synonyms
actinide series, actinides, f-block elements.
Examples of usage
- Uranium is an actinide used in nuclear reactors.
- The study of actinides is important for understanding radioactive decay.
- Most actinides are synthetic and can only be produced in laboratories.
- Marine sediments contain trace amounts of actinides due to natural processes.
Translations
Translations of the word "actinide" in other languages:
🇵🇹 actinídeo
🇮🇳 ऐक्टिनाइड
🇩🇪 Actinoid
🇮🇩 aktinida
🇺🇦 актинід
🇵🇱 aktynid
🇯🇵 アクチニウム
🇫🇷 actinide
🇪🇸 actínido
🇹🇷 aktinid
🇰🇷 악티니움
🇸🇦 أكتينيد
🇨🇿 aktinid
🇸🇰 aktinid
🇨🇳 锕系元素
🇸🇮 aktinid
🇮🇸 aktíníð
🇰🇿 актинид
🇬🇪 აქტინიდი
🇦🇿 aktinid
🇲🇽 actínido
Etymology
The term 'actinide' comes from the root 'actinium,' the first element in this series, which was discovered in 1899 by Friedrich Oskar Giesel. The name 'actinium' is derived from the Greek word 'aktinos' meaning 'ray' or 'beam,' which refers to the element's radioactivity. The IUPAC categorization of these elements as 'actinides' was formalized in the mid-20th century as more elements were discovered and classified. This series includes not only naturally occurring elements like uranium and thorium but also numerous synthetic elements created in laboratories after the discovery of nuclear fission. The study of actinides encompasses fields ranging from chemistry and physics to environmental science, particularly concerning their use as fuel sources and their radioactive waste management.