curium: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2technical/scientific
Quick answer
What does “curium” mean?
A radioactive, metallic chemical element, with atomic number 96, first produced artificially.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A radioactive, metallic chemical element, with atomic number 96, first produced artificially.
A synthetic element in the actinide series, used as a source of alpha particles for radioisotope thermoelectric generators in space exploration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in usage or spelling. Pronunciation may show slight variation in vowel length.
Connotations
Identical technical/scientific connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; used only in specialised scientific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “curium” in a Sentence
curium is produced by + VERB-ingcurium (isotope) decays into + ELEMENTa source of curiumthe element curiumVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in advanced physics, chemistry, nuclear engineering, and space technology research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Primary context. Discussed in nuclear fuel cycles, radiochemistry, radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) design, and materials science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “curium”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “curium”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “curium”
- Mispronouncing as 'cure-ium'.
- Using as a countable noun for the substance itself (e.g., 'a curium').
- Misspelling as 'currium'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, curium is a synthetic (man-made) element and does not occur in significant quantities in nature.
Its main use is as a power source in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) for spacecraft and satellites, due to its alpha decay heat.
It was discovered in 1944 by a team of American scientists: Glenn T. Seaborg, Ralph A. James, and Albert Ghiorso.
Yes, it is highly radioactive and a significant radiation hazard if not handled with proper shielding and containment protocols.
A radioactive, metallic chemical element, with atomic number 96, first produced artificially.
Curium is usually technical/scientific in register.
Curium: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkjʊə.ri.əm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkjʊr.i.əm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Curium is named after the Curies (Marie and Pierre), pioneers of radioactivity. Think: 'CURIE-um' – honouring the CURIE family.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (highly technical term with no common conceptual metaphors).
Practice
Quiz
Curium is primarily classified as: