Thorium
['θɔːrɪəm] or ['θɔrɪəm]
Definition
(noun.) a soft silvery-white tetravalent radioactive metallic element; isotope 232 is used as a power source in nuclear reactors; occurs in thorite and in monazite sands.
Checker: Sumner--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A metallic element found in certain rare minerals, as thorite, pyrochlore, monazite, etc., and isolated as an infusible gray metallic powder which burns in the air and forms thoria; -- formerly called also thorinum. Symbol Th. Atomic weight 232.0.
Edited by Christine
Definition
n. a rare metal resembling aluminium but taking fire below a red heat and burning with great brilliancy.—Also Thorī′num.
Checker: Millicent
Examples
- Again, it is conjectured that bismuth is the end-product of the thorium series. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- He made a cylindrical mantle of thin fabric, and then soaked it in a solution of thorium and cerium until it became saturated with the chemical. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Schmidt published the results of their studies of the radiations of the salts o f thorium. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- When certain substances, such as thorium and cerium, are heated, they do not melt or vaporize, but glow with an intense bright light. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- The mantle thus impregnated with thorium and cerium is placed on the gas jet, but before the gas is turned on, a lighted match is held to the mantle in order to burn away the thin fabric. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
Checked by Danny