cesium 137: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “cesium 137” mean?
A radioactive isotope of the chemical element cesium, which emits beta particles and gamma radiation as it decays.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A radioactive isotope of the chemical element cesium, which emits beta particles and gamma radiation as it decays.
A man-made radioactive isotope produced primarily as a byproduct of nuclear fission in reactors and nuclear weapons testing. It is a significant environmental contaminant following nuclear accidents and has medical and industrial applications.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily a spelling difference: 'caesium' (UK) vs. 'cesium' (US). The pronunciation of the element name differs accordingly.
Connotations
Identical technical and environmental connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse but standard in nuclear physics, environmental science, and related technical fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “cesium 137” in a Sentence
The [noun] contains cesium 137.Cesium 137 was released during the [event].Scientists measured the cesium 137 in the [sample].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cesium 137” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The soil was contaminated with caesium 137.
- The sample was found to caesium-137-date the layer.
American English
- The plume dispersed cesium 137 over a wide area.
- They needed to cesium-137-scan the building.
adverb
British English
- The material decayed caesium-137-quickly. (Highly contrived, as adverbial use is virtually non-existent)
American English
- The fallout was distributed cesium-137-richly. (Highly contrived, as adverbial use is virtually non-existent)
adjective
British English
- The caesium 137 contamination was widespread.
- We reviewed the caesium-137-specific data.
American English
- The cesium 137 levels were alarming.
- A cesium-137-based source was used.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like environmental consultancy, nuclear decommissioning, or radiation safety equipment.
Academic
Common in research papers and textbooks on nuclear physics, radiochemistry, environmental science, and health physics.
Everyday
Extremely rare, typically only in news reports about nuclear incidents or historical discussions of weapons testing.
Technical
The primary register. Standard in nuclear engineering, health physics, radiation monitoring, and environmental remediation reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cesium 137”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cesium 137”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cesium 137”
- Incorrect: 'Cesium one-thirty-seven' (colloquial form is not standard in technical writing).
- Incorrect: 'Caesium 137' in a consistently American English text (mixing regional conventions).
- Incorrect: Using 'Cesium' without the '137' when the specific isotope is meant, as there are other isotopes of cesium.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Minute traces can exist from natural fission, but it is predominantly an anthropogenic (human-made) isotope created in nuclear reactors and during weapons detonations.
Due to its relatively long half-life (~30 years), its high solubility in water, and its chemical similarity to potassium, which allows it to enter the food chain and be distributed throughout the body's soft tissues upon ingestion or inhalation.
It is used in medical radiation therapy devices for treating certain cancers, in industrial gauges for measuring thickness/density, and as a tracer in hydrological and geological research.
'Cesium' refers to the chemical element (atomic number 55) in general, which has both stable and radioactive isotopes. 'Cesium 137' refers specifically to the radioactive isotope with an atomic mass of 137.
A radioactive isotope of the chemical element cesium, which emits beta particles and gamma radiation as it decays.
Cesium 137 is usually technical/scientific in register.
Cesium 137: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsiːziəm wʌn ˈθɜːti ˈsɛvn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsiːziəm ˈwʌn ˈθɜːrti ˈsɛvən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There are no common idioms for this highly technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Cesium 137': 'See' (Cs) the 'radioactive' (137) element. 137 is its atomic mass number.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualized as a 'contaminant', 'tracer', or 'invisible threat' in environmental contexts.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary origin of cesium 137 in the environment?