thorianite

[thawr-ee-uh-nahyt, thohr-]

noun

1. a rare mineral, mainly thoria, ThO 2 , but also containing uranium, cerium, and other rare-earth metals, occurring in small, black, cubic crystals: notable for its radioactivity and used as a minor source of thorium.

thorianite

/ ˈθɔːrɪəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a rare black mineral consisting of thorium and uranium oxides. Formula: ThO 2 .U 3 O 8

Word History and Origins

Origin of thorianite¹

1900–05; thorian ( thori(a) + -an ) + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Yet another was "nipponium", extracted by a Japanese researcher in 1908 from the rare mineral, thorianite.

From BBC

The richest known source is thorianite, which consists mainly of thorium oxide, and contains 9.5 cc. of helium per gram.

From Project Gutenberg

If thorianite cannot be obtained, monazite, which is more abundant, may be utilized.

From Project Gutenberg

Thorianite, however, contains no silica, and until it is shown that metallic oxides behave in the same way this explanation must be accepted with reserve.

From Project Gutenberg

Much the best practical source of helium is thorianite, a mineral imported from Ceylon for the manufacture of thoria.

From Project Gutenberg