strontium 90: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic / Technical / Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “strontium 90” mean?
A radioactive isotope of strontium (atomic number 38) with an atomic mass of 90, produced as a byproduct of nuclear fission. It is a significant component of nuclear fallout with a half-life of about 29 years.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A radioactive isotope of strontium (atomic number 38) with an atomic mass of 90, produced as a byproduct of nuclear fission. It is a significant component of nuclear fallout with a half-life of about 29 years.
A hazardous nuclear contaminant that accumulates in biological systems, particularly in bone tissue, posing long-term health risks due to its chemical similarity to calcium. It symbolizes the dangers of nuclear weapons testing and radioactive pollution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related terms follows regional conventions (e.g., 'centre' vs. 'center' in 'fallout centre/center').
Connotations
Strongly associated with 1950s/60s atmospheric nuclear testing, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) in the UK, and health scares over milk contamination. In the US, connotations link to Nevada Test Site fallout and Cold War civil defense.
Frequency
Frequency is similar in both varieties, spiking in historical/scientific contexts. Slightly more common in British post-war environmental discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “strontium 90” in a Sentence
Strontium-90 is produced by [nuclear fission].[Bone tissue] accumulates strontium-90.The fallout contained high levels of strontium-90.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strontium 90” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The soil was heavily contaminated, having been strontium-90'd by decades of fallout. (Informal/rare)
American English
- The site had been strontium-90 contaminated since the 1950s tests. (Adjectival past participle)
adjective
British English
- The strontium-90 content in the sample was alarming.
American English
- Strontium-90 contamination was found in the groundwater.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used in environmental consulting, nuclear decommissioning, or risk assessment reports.
Academic
Common in nuclear physics, environmental science, radiology, and Cold War history papers.
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in documentaries or news reports about nuclear accidents or historical weapons testing.
Technical
Standard term in nuclear engineering, health physics, radiogeology, and waste management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “strontium 90”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “strontium 90”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strontium 90”
- Misspelling as 'strontum-90' or 'strontiam-90'.
- Incorrectly writing 'Strontium90' without a space or hyphen.
- Confusing it with other fission products like cesium-137 or iodine-131.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its chemical behaviour is very similar to calcium, so it is absorbed by the body and deposited in bone and bone marrow, where its radioactive emissions can damage cells and potentially cause cancer, especially bone cancer and leukaemia.
It is not found naturally in significant amounts. It is artificially produced as a fission product in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons explosions.
It is the mass number, indicating this specific isotope of strontium has a total of 90 protons and neutrons in its nucleus (38 protons + 52 neutrons).
Yes, primarily as a legacy contaminant from mid-20th century atmospheric weapons testing and nuclear accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima. It remains a major component of long-lived intermediate-level radioactive waste requiring secure disposal.
A radioactive isotope of strontium (atomic number 38) with an atomic mass of 90, produced as a byproduct of nuclear fission. It is a significant component of nuclear fallout with a half-life of about 29 years.
Strontium 90 is usually academic / technical / journalistic in register.
Strontium 90: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstrɒntiəm ˈnʌɪnti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstrɑːn(t)ʃiəm ˈnaɪn(t)i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. Potential metaphorical use: 'a strontium-90 legacy' meaning a long-lasting, hidden danger.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'STRONG-tium' - it's strongly radioactive (90 is its atomic mass). It 'bones' you (targets bones) like a '90s fear (prominent in mid-20th century).
Conceptual Metaphor
A SILENT INVADER / BONE TROJAN HORSE (mimics calcium to enter and damage the body's structure).
Practice
Quiz
Strontium-90 is primarily associated with which of the following?