Osmium (Noun)
Meaning
A hard brittle blue-grey or blue-black metallic element that is one of the platinum metals; the heaviest metal known.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Osmium is the densest naturally occurring element, with a density nearly twice that of lead.
- The hardness of osmium is one of its most distinguishing features, making it extremely difficult to work with.
- Due to its brittle nature, osmium is often alloyed with other metals, such as iridium, to make it more durable.
- Osmium's remarkable corrosion resistance makes it useful for electrical contacts and fountain pen nibs.
- The existence of osmium was first predicted by English chemist Smithson Tennant in 1803, but it wasn't until later that it was isolated in its pure form.