Thorium: meaning, definitions and examples
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thorium
[ ˈθɔr.i.əm ]
chemical element
Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive element with the symbol Th and atomic number 90. It is widely used in nuclear reactors and as a fertile material in the production of fissile uranium-233.
Synonyms
Th, thorium fuel, thorium oxide.
Examples of usage
- Thorium is considered a potential alternative to uranium for nuclear fuel.
- The mining of thorium has been a topic of interest for researchers.
- Thorium-based fuels could make nuclear power safer and more efficient.
Translations
Translations of the word "thorium" in other languages:
🇵🇹 tório
🇮🇳 थोरियम
🇩🇪 Thorium
🇮🇩 thorium
🇺🇦 торій
🇵🇱 tor
🇯🇵 トリウム
🇫🇷 thorium
🇪🇸 torio
🇹🇷 toryum
🇰🇷 토륨
🇸🇦 ثوريوم
🇨🇿 thorium
🇸🇰 thorium
🇨🇳 钍
🇸🇮 torij
🇮🇸 tóríum
🇰🇿 торий
🇬🇪 თორიუმი
🇦🇿 torium
🇲🇽 torio
Etymology
The name 'thorium' is derived from Thor, the Norse god of thunder, reflecting its discovery in the 19th century when scientists were exploring the chemicals in minerals. Thorium was first identified in 1828 by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius, who isolated it from the mineral thorite. The element is found in a variety of minerals, with monazite being one of the most common sources. As the interest in nuclear science grew in the early 20th century, thorium gained attention for its potential use in nuclear reactors. Thorium-232, the most abundant isotope, is not fissile but can be converted into uranium-233 through neutron absorption. This process underscores the potential of thorium-based nuclear power as a safer and more sustainable alternative to conventional uranium reactors.