osmium

American  

[oz-mee-uhm] / ˈɒz mi əm /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a hard, heavy, metallic element having the greatest density of the known elements and forming octavalent compounds, as OsO 4 and OsF 8 : used chiefly as a catalyst, in alloys, and in the manufacture of electric-light filaments. Os; 190.2; 76; 22.57.

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osmium British  

/ ˈɒzmɪəm /

noun

1. a very hard brittle bluish-white metal occurring with platinum and alloyed with iridium in osmiridium: used to produce platinum alloys, mainly for pen tips and instrument pivots, as a catalyst, and in electric-light filaments. Symbol: Os; atomic no: 76; atomic wt: 190.2; valency: 0 to 8; relative density: 22.57; melting pt: 3033±30°C; boiling pt: 5012±100°C

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osmium Scientific  

/ ŏz′mē-əm /

1. A hard, brittle, bluish-white metallic element that is the densest naturally occurring element. It is used to make very hard alloys for fountain pen points, electrical contacts, and instrument pivots. Atomic number 76; atomic weight 190.2; melting point 3,000°C; boiling point 5,000°C; specific gravity 22.57; valence 2, 3, 4, 8.

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of osmium

1795–1805; < New Latin < Greek osm ( ḗ ) smell + -ium -ium; named from the penetrating odor of one of its oxides

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

osmium

Catalysts incorporating osmium exhibited high activity due to the expanded electrochemical active surface area achieved through nanostructure formation.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 3, 2023

While brilliant, Kolnai’s writing has the density of osmium.

From New York Times ● Dec. 27, 2021

For secondary fixation, we used 2% osmium tetroxide in 1.25% sodium bicarbonate for 2–3 h at room temperature.

From Nature ● May 20, 2014

Or osmium — atomic weight: 190.2 — for that matter?

From Scientific American ● Mar. 8, 2012

The metal osmium, if exposed to the flame of oxidation, fuses and is finally dissipated as osmic acid.

From A System of Instruction in the Practical Use of the Blowpipe Being A Graduated Course Of Analysis For The Use Of Students And All Those Engaged In The Examination Of Metallic Combinations by Anonymous

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