Chemistry

Nitrogen is a chemical element with the symbol N. It is a colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere. In science contexts, it is discussed as a diatomic molecule (N2) and as a key element in biology and chemistry. Its name stems from Greek roots meaning ‘native’ or ‘nitre’ and reflects its historical discovery in nitre-bearing substances.

Osmium is a chemical element with symbol Os and atomic number 76. It is a very dense, hard, blue-gray metal notable for its high density and rarity. In scientific contexts it is discussed in chemistry, materials science, and metallurgy, often alongside platinum-group metals.

Palladium is a chemical element with the symbol Pd and atomic number 46, known for its precious metal properties and catalytic uses. In broader contexts, “Palladium” can denote the element itself or a preceding title of nobility in reference to materials with esteemed status. The word is used in science, industry, and occasionally as a metaphor for value or rarity.

Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P, known for its reactive nonmetal properties and historical use in matches and fertilizers. In chemistry, it refers to the element as well as to compounds containing it. The word is used across science writing and education, often in discussions of periodic trends and phosphorus cycles.

Platinum is a chemical element and a valuable, corrosion-resistant metal known for its silvery-white appearance. In everyday usage, it refers to high-quality status or premium products. The word is often encountered in science, jewelry, and branding contexts, and can imply exceptional durability or rarity in marketing language.

Polonium is a radioactive metallic element, chemical symbol Po, discovered in 1898. It is highly radioactive and rare in nature, producing heat and alpha radiation. Used historically in research and as a heat source for space equipment, it remains a symbol of early nuclear science.

Polymer is a noun for a substance composed of many repeating units, typically molecules or monomers joined into long chains. It denotes a material with high molecular weight formed by polymerization processes, often plastics or resins, that display distinct physical properties such as elasticity or durability. The term is used broadly in chemistry, materials science, and industry to describe these large, chain-like macromolecules.

Potassium is a chemical element with symbol K, essential for cellular function, nerve signaling, and fluid balance. In everyday use, it refers to the metallic element in the periodic table and to compounds containing potassium ions. As a noun, it is pronounced to emphasize the second syllable, with a distinct

Praseodymium is a rare earth element with the symbol Pr and atomic number 59. It is silvery and ductile, used in magnets and specialized glass. In scientific contexts, it’s discussed for its oxidation states and role in praseodymium alloys, with pronunciation often a focus due to its multi-syllabic, foreign-origin name.

Rhodium is a chemical element (symbol Rh) with a silvery, highly reflective surface and high resistance to corrosion. It is a rare, silver-white metal used mainly as a catalyst and for plating to prevent tarnish. In commerce, it appears in alloys such as platinum–ralloy jewelry and catalytic converters. Its name derives from the Greek word for rose, alluding to its color in certain compounds.

Roentgenium is a synthetic, radioactive element with the symbol Rg and atomic number 111. Used primarily in scientific research, it has no stable isotopes and a very short half-life. The term derives from Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, honoring his discovery of X-rays, and its name is pronounced to reflect that eponymic origin and scientific nomenclature.

Rubidium is a chemical element with the symbol Rb and atomic number 37. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that reacts readily with water and air. In scientific contexts, it’s discussed in discussions of alkali metals, spectroscopy, and atomic physics, often alongside cesium and potassium.

Ruthenium is a chemical element with the symbol Ru and atomic number 44. It is a hard, corrosion-resistant metal used in electronics, alloys, and catalysts. The term originates from Ruthenia, the historic region associated with Russia and the Urals, reflecting its discovery-linked geography.

Salt is a tangible mineral commonly used to Season and preserve foods; in broader terms it can describe a flavorful profile or a chemical compound (sodium chloride). It conveys a sense of essentiality, old-world preservation, and potency in taste. The word also appears in idioms and expressions emphasizing value, sharpness, or savor. 2-4 sentences exploring practical meaning and usage beyond the substance itself.

Scandium is a chemical element with symbol Sc and atomic number 21. It is a soft, silvery-white metal found in trace amounts in various minerals and is chiefly used in alloys to improve strength and lightness. In science and industry, it is often discussed in the context of rare-earth and transition metals and their applications.

Selenium is a chemical element (Se) used in electronics, glassmaking, and nutrition. It is a nonmetal with metalloid properties, essential in trace amounts for human health, and known for its role in antioxidants. In biology, it also appears in proteins as the amino acid selenocysteine. The term also refers to a web testing framework in software development, though the element is the more common usage.

Solute is a noun in chemistry that refers to a substance dissolved in a solvent. It can also describe a dissolved or solvated component in a solution. The term is often used in contexts like chemistry, biology, and related fields, highlighting the active presence of the dissolved material within a solution.

Stoichiometry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the quantitative relationships of elements and compounds in chemical reactions, typically involving mole ratios. It covers deriving amounts of reactants and products from a balanced chemical equation, and converting between mass, moles, and other units. In practice, it enables precise prediction of yields and reagent consumption in laboratory and industrial processes.

Strontium is a chemical element (symbol Sr) in the alkaline-earth metal group. In science contexts it refers to the soft, silvery-yellow metal, its compounds, and its use in things like ferrite magnets and certain medical imaging applications. The term also designates the element’s isotopes and its role in geology, physics, and materials science. It’s pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable.

Sulfur is a chemical element with a distinct yellow, nonmetallic appearance and a sharp odor in its elemental form. In daily language, it commonly refers to the element used in fertilizers, industry, and chemistry, as well as to compounds containing sulfur. The word is typically stressed on the first syllable and is pronounced with a clearly enunciated

Tantalum is a hard, blue-gray, highly corrosion-resistant transition metal used in electronics and alloys. In chemistry, it forms compounds with a high melting point and excellent stability. The term also designates the chemical element with the symbol Ta on the periodic table.

Technetium is a chemical element with the symbol Tc and atomic number 43. It is the lightest element whose most stable isotopes are radioactive, and it is not found naturally in appreciable quantities on Earth. The name derives from the Greek τεχνητός (technētos) meaning “artificial,” reflecting its creation in laboratories. In science contexts, technetium is central to nuclear medicine and research.

Tellurium is a chemical element with the symbol Te and atomic number 52, occurring as a brittle, pale-silver metalloid. It is used in alloys and semiconductors, and in various industrial applications. In science writing, it appears in discussions of periodic trends, metallurgy, and spectroscopy.