noun
thorium
THOR-ee-um/ˈθɔːriəm/
A radioactive metallic chemical element with atomic number 90.
The silvery thorium sample remains sealed behind protective laboratory glass.
Etymology
The name honors Thor, the Norse thunder-god, through thorite, the mineral from which the element was extracted. The ending -ium follows the naming pattern for metallic elements.
In context
Rare earth ores often contain other elements like thorium, which is radioactive, or iron.
More examples
- This mineral contains small amounts of thorium.
- Scientists study thorium as a possible fuel for nuclear reactors.
- Workers follow strict safety rules when handling thorium.