Actinium: meaning, definitions and examples
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actinium
[ ˌæktɪˈnɪəm ]
chemical element
Actinium is a silvery-white, radioactive metal that glows faintly in the dark. It is the first element in the actinide series and is found in trace amounts in uranium and thorium ores. Actinium-227, one of its isotopes, is utilized in radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Due to its radioactivity, it must be handled with care and is often used in specialized laboratories. Actinium was discovered in 1899 by German chemist Friedrich Oskar Giesel.
Examples of usage
- The actinium ion is used in some radiotherapeutic treatments.
- Chemists are studying actinium for potential applications in medicine.
- Actinium-227 can emit radiation that helps to destroy cancer cells.
Translations
Translations of the word "actinium" in other languages:
🇵🇹 actínio
🇮🇳 ऐक्टिनियम
🇩🇪 Actinium
🇮🇩 aktinium
🇺🇦 актиній
🇵🇱 aktyn
🇯🇵 アクチニウム
🇫🇷 actinium
🇪🇸 actinio
🇹🇷 aktinyum
🇰🇷 악티늄
🇸🇦 أكتينيوم
🇨🇿 aktinium
🇸🇰 aktínium
🇨🇳 锕
🇸🇮 aktinij
🇮🇸 aktíníum
🇰🇿 актиний
🇬🇪 აქტინიუმი
🇦🇿 aktinium
🇲🇽 actinio
Etymology
The term actinium comes from the Greek word 'aktinos', meaning 'ray' or 'beam', reflecting its radioactive properties. It was discovered in the late 19th century during the burgeoning field of nuclear chemistry. The element was isolated from uranium ores, and its discovery was a part of the exploration of elements with atomic numbers greater than 83. The name reflects the element's significant radioactivity, which makes it important in radiation studies and applications. Actinium's isotopes have been extensively studied for their potential use in cancer treatments, emphasizing the dual nature of elements that can both pose hazards and offer medical benefits.