Actinides: meaning, definitions and examples
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actinides
[ ˈæktɪnaɪdz ]
chemical elements
Actinides are a series of 15 chemical elements in the periodic table with atomic numbers from 89 (actinium) to 103 (lawrencium). They are known for being radioactive and have significant applications in nuclear energy and medicine.
Synonyms
actinide series, radioactive elements
Examples of usage
- Uranium and plutonium are two important actinides used in nuclear reactors.
- Scientists study actinides to understand their radioactive properties.
- Actinides are often found in spent nuclear fuel.
- The discovery of actinides expanded our knowledge of radioactive elements.
Word origin
The term 'actinides' was introduced in the early 20th century as chemists began to systematically study the radioactive elements discovered after uranium. The name is derived from 'actinium', which was the first element in this series to be isolated in 1899. The actinide series includes both naturally occurring and synthetically produced elements, with the latter being discovered during experiments in nuclear physics. The unique properties of actinides, particularly their ability to undergo fission, led to advancements in nuclear technology, including reactors and atomic bombs. The understanding of actinides has evolved significantly since their discovery, impacting fields such as chemistry, physics, and environmental science.