radium

[rey-dee-uhm]

noun

1. Chemistry.,  a highly radioactive metallic element whose decay yields radon gas and alpha rays. Ra; 226; 88.

2. a lustrous rayon or silk fabric constructed in plain weave and used in women's apparel, lining, and drapery.

radium

/ ˈreɪdɪəm /

noun

1. 1. a highly radioactive luminescent white element of the alkaline earth group of metals. It occurs in pitchblende, carnotite, and other uranium ores, and is used in radiotherapy and in luminous paints. Symbol: Ra; atomic no: 88; half-life of most stable isotope, ²²⁶ Ra: 1620 years; valency: 2; relative density: 5; melting pt: 700°C; boiling pt: 1140°C

   2. ( as modifier )

      radium needle

radium

1. A rare, bright-white, highly radioactive element of the alkaline-earth group. It occurs naturally in very small amounts in ores and minerals containing uranium, and it is naturally luminescent. Radium is used as a source of radon gas for the treatment of disease and as a neutron source for scientific research. Its most stable isotope is Ra 226 with a half-life of 1,622 years. Atomic number 88; melting point 700°C; boiling point 1,737°C; valence 2.

2. See Periodic Table

radium

1. A naturally occurring radioactive chemical element. Its symbol is Ra.

Radium was discovered by the chemists Marie and Pierre Curie.

Word History and Origins

Origin of radium¹

1895–1900; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin rad ( ius ) ray ( radius ) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of radium¹

C20: from Latin radius ray

Example Sentences

It contains radium that decays into radon gas, which is radioactive and can cause cancer.

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Rob Caunter, who finally retired from the fish market this year, is just finishing his radium treatment for prostate cancer.

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The researchers found that, even years later, the tissue and shells of mussels contained radium that could be traced to wastewater from fracking in the Marcellus Shale.

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The system can be adapted to detect other similar contaminants in water, including cadmium, copper, lithium, barium, cesium, and radium, Ranno says.

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Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced when metals like uranium or radium break down in rocks and soil.

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