Radium (Noun)
Meaning
An intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Radium was discovered in 1898 by Marie Curie and her husband Pierre Curie through their research on pitchblende, a mineral found in uranium ore.
- The extraction of radium from uranium ores was a complex and time-consuming process that required large quantities of ore to produce even a small amount of the element.
- Radium is a highly radioactive substance that emits alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, making it a significant health hazard if not handled properly.
- In the early 20th century, radium was used in self-luminous paints for watch faces and instrument dials, but this use was eventually discontinued due to the health risks associated with the element.
- The discovery of radium led to a greater understanding of radioactivity and paved the way for numerous advances in medical treatments and scientific research.