uranic oxide
Rare / Obsolete / HistoricalTechnical (Historical/Chemical Literature)
Definition
Meaning
A specific, now obsolete term for a compound of uranium, historically referring to uranium trioxide (UO₃).
In historical chemical literature, a compound of hexavalent uranium (U(VI)), specifically the yellow oxide UO₃, as opposed to other oxides like uranium dioxide (UO₂). Its usage is now largely superseded by the IUPAC systematic name.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term 'uranic' specifically denotes uranium in its +6 oxidation state. In modern nomenclature, the term is obsolete, replaced by 'uranium(VI) oxide' or simply 'uranium trioxide'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in usage; the term is equally archaic and technical in both variants.
Connotations
Historical scientific terminology. May evoke early 19th-20th century chemistry texts.
Frequency
Extremely low to non-existent in contemporary usage in both regions. Found primarily in historical or specialist texts discussing the history of chemistry or nuclear materials.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
UO₃uranium trioxideuranium(VI) oxideVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No idioms exist for this technical term)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical contexts within chemistry or history of science papers.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Obsolete term; modern technical writing uses 'uranium trioxide' or 'UO₃'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not applicable for this technical level)
- (Not applicable for this technical level)
- In the old textbook, the yellow powder was labelled 'uranic oxide'.
- The 19th-century chemist prepared uranic oxide by heating uranyl nitrate, a process described in his seminal paper.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Uranic sounds like 'youranic', but remember the 'U' is for Uranium, and the '-ic' ending often means a higher oxidation state (+6) in chemistry.
Conceptual Metaphor
(Highly technical term; conceptual metaphors are not typically applied)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "урановый оксид" без уточнения, так как это общий термин. Современный эквивалент — "оксид урана(VI)" или "триоксид урана".
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with 'uranous oxide' (UO₂, uranium(IV) oxide).
- Using it as a synonym for modern uranium ore or fuel.
- Spelling it as 'uranium oxide' (which is ambiguous).
Practice
Quiz
What is the modern IUPAC name for the compound historically called 'uranic oxide'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete term. Modern chemistry uses 'uranium trioxide' or the systematic name 'uranium(VI) oxide'.
In traditional inorganic nomenclature, the '-ic' suffix indicates the higher of two common oxidation states of a metal. For uranium, 'uranic' is U(VI), while 'uranous' is U(IV).
Uranium trioxide (UO₃) is not commonly found as a pure mineral in nature. It is typically a product of industrial or laboratory processes.
It is essential for accurately reading and interpreting older scientific literature, patents, or historical documents related to chemistry and nuclear science.