RADIOACTINIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Radioactinium is a term used to refer to an isotope of the chemical element actinium, which exhibits radioactivity. Actinium itself is a rare, silvery-white, strong metallic element found in trace amounts in uranium ores. It belongs to the family of elements known as the actinides and possesses atomic number 89. Radioactinium, specifically, refers to actinium-227, an isotope with a half-life of approximately 21.8 years.
Actinium-227 undergoes radioactive decay, emitting alpha particles and transforming into a series of daughter isotopes until finally reaching the stable isotope lead-207. This property of emitting alpha particles allows actinium-227 to be utilized in various medical and scientific applications, such as nuclear medicine and radiotherapy.
Due to its radioactivity, radioactinium is often handled with caution and protective measures to prevent radiation exposure and contamination. The study and understanding of radioactive elements like radioactinium contribute to advancements in fields such as nuclear physics, medical imaging, and cancer treatment.
In summary, radioactinium specifically refers to the radioactive isotope actinium-227, which possesses a half-life of 21.8 years and emits alpha particles. Its radioactivity makes it valuable in various scientific and medical applications but also necessitates careful handling and precautions to ensure safety.
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A disintegration product of actinium, giving off alpha and beta rays; its disintegration product is actinium X.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for RADIOACTINIUM
- radioactiniwm
- radioactinitm
- radioactiniue
- radioactiniui
- radioactiniuo
- radioactiniul
- r adioactinium
- ra dioactinium
- rad ioactinium
- radi oactinium
- radio actinium
- radioa ctinium
- radioac tinium
- radioact inium
- radioacti nium
- radioactin ium
- radioactini um
- radioactiniu m
Etymology of RADIOACTINIUM
The word "radioactinium" is derived from two components: "radio-" and the element "actinium".
The prefix "radio-" originates from the Latin word "radius", meaning "ray" or "beam". It became linked with scientific terms related to radiation and electromagnetic waves in the early 20th century. The prefix is used to indicate an association with radioactivity, which refers to the emission of particles or electromagnetic radiation from atomic nuclei.
The term "actinium" refers to a radioactive chemical element with the symbol Ac and atomic number 89. Actinium was discovered in 1899 by the French chemist André-Louis Debierne, and its name is derived from the Greek word "aktis", meaning "ray" or "beam", in reference to its radioactivity.
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