atomic number 41
- noun
- /əˈtɑːmɪk ˈnʌmbər fɔːrti ˈwʌn/
- Specialized
- The atomic number 41 identifies the element niobium.
Examples
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Did you know that atomic number 41 refers to niobium?
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The alloy contains atomic number 41 to improve its strength.
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Before being renamed, atomic number 41 was commonly known as columbium.
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Scientists discovered deposits of atomic number 41 in the mineral niobite.
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The alloy contains atomic number 41 to improve its strength.
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Scientists discovered deposits of atomic number 41 in the mineral niobite.
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Before being renamed, atomic number 41 was commonly known as columbium.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A soft grey metal that people use in strong steel and magnets that work at very low temperatures
1
7.0
A soft grey metal that makes steel and other metals stronger
1
9.9
A former name for the metal niobium used in older science books
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is transparently built from 'atomic' (relating to atoms) + 'number 41' and directly denotes the element identified by that atomic number (niobium); a learner who knows the constituent words can infer it refers to the element with atomic number 41. Although somewhat technical, the notion of a number identifying an element is compositional and cross-linguistically common, so the meaning is derivable from the parts.
Etymology
The term atomic number 41 points to one element on the periodic table, like an ID card for the metal now called niobium, which was once called columbium. Because the number uniquely identifies that element, saying atomic number 41 means 'the soft grey metal used in alloys'.