thorianite

American  

[thawr-ee-uh-nahyt, thohr-] / ˈθɔr i əˌnaɪt, ˈθoʊr- /

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.

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thorianite British  

/ ˈθɔːrɪəˌnaɪt /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of thorianite

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 • May 29, 2015

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

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various

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

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various

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

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various