Fermium Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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fermium
[หfษหrmiษm ]
Definition
chemical element
Fermium is a synthetic element with the symbol Fm and atomic number 100. It belongs to the actinide series and is named after physicist Enrico Fermi. Fermium was first discovered in 1952 in the debris of a hydrogen bomb explosion. It is one of the heaviest elements and is highly radioactive, with no stable isotopes. Fermium's applications are mainly in research and the production of other heavy elements, as it is not found in significant quantities in nature.
Examples of usage
- Fermium is used in nuclear research.
- The discovery of fermium opened new avenues in chemistry.
- Fermium has no practical applications outside of scientific research.
Translations
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Origin of 'fermium'
The element fermium is named after the renowned Italian-American physicist Enrico Fermi, who made significant contributions to the development of nuclear reactors and quantum theory. Fermium was discovered during the testing of thermonuclear weapons in the early 1950s. Scientists isolated it from the debris of the first hydrogen bomb detonation at the Castle Bravo test in the Pacific. Its discovery was notable not just for its scientific implications but also for the ethical considerations surrounding nuclear testing. Fermium is part of the actinide series of elements, which are known for their complex electron configurations and radioactive properties. The element's name honors Fermi's legacy and achievements in the field of nuclear physics, further cementing his impact on modern science.