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Radioactive: meaning, definitions and examples

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radioactive

 

[ ˌreɪdiəʊˈæktɪv ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

physical science

Radioactive refers to the property of certain substances to emit radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. This phenomenon occurs due to the instability of atomic nuclei, which undergo decay and release energy. The emitted radiation can be harmful to living organisms and is utilized in various medical and industrial applications.

Synonyms

emitting, nuclear, radiating

Examples of usage

  • Radioactive decay can be dangerous if not handled carefully.
  • The radioactive material was stored in lead containers.
  • Scientists study radioactive elements to understand their properties.

Translations

Translations of the word "radioactive" in other languages:

🇵🇹 radioativo

🇮🇳 विकिरणशील

🇩🇪 radioaktiv

🇮🇩 radioaktif

🇺🇦 радіоактивний

🇵🇱 radioaktywny

🇯🇵 放射性 (ほうしゃせい)

🇫🇷 radioactif

🇪🇸 radiactivo

🇹🇷 radyoaktif

🇰🇷 방사성 (방사성)

🇸🇦 مشعّ (مُشعّ)

🇨🇿 radioaktivní

🇸🇰 rádioaktívny

🇨🇳 放射性 (fàngshèxìng)

🇸🇮 radioaktiven

🇮🇸 geislavirkur

🇰🇿 радиоактивті

🇬🇪 რადიოაქტიური

🇦🇿 radioaktiv

🇲🇽 radioactivo

Etymology

The term 'radioactive' was first coined in 1898 by the physicists Marie and Pierre Curie, as they were investigating the properties of elements such as radium and polonium. The prefix 'radio-' is derived from the Latin word 'radius', meaning 'ray', which reflects the emission of rays from radioactive materials. The suffix '-active' denotes that these materials are capable of acting or producing effects, particularly through the release of energy. Over the years, the term has evolved to encompass various aspects of nuclear physics, including not only the decay process but also the applications of radioactive substances in medicine, energy production, and scientific research. The discovery of radioactivity was pivotal in advancing our understanding of atomic physics and paved the way for nuclear technology, both beneficial and hazardous.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,173 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.