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Glite Dictionary
atomic number 57

atomic number 57

8.7
A soft white metal found in rare earth minerals, used in special glass and camera lenses
  • noun
  • /əˈtɑːmɪk ˈnʌmbər ˈfɪftiˈsɛvən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : número atómico 57
  • The atomic number 57 represents lanthanum.

Examples

  • The mineral sample was found to contain atomic number 57 among other rare earth elements.

  • Industrial uses of atomic number 57 include producing special optical glasses and camera lenses.

  • Scientists isolated atomic number 57 to study its properties in more detail.

  • Did you know that atomic number 57 is lanthanum?

  • Industrial uses of atomic number 57 include producing special optical glasses and camera lenses.

  • Scientists isolated atomic number 57, which is the element lanthanum, to study its properties in more detail.

  • The mineral sample was found to contain atomic number 57, specifically lanthanum, among other rare earth elements.

Synonyms

lanthanum
vsatomic number 57
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A soft shiny metal used in electronics and metal mixes

names the same metal by its position on the periodic table
La
vsatomic number 57
  • Specialized
8.1

Symbol for the element lanthanum used to make glass and electronics

names the same metal by its position rather than by the short symbol

Surface Forms

atomic number 57 singular
atomic numbers 57 plural

Morphology

atomic + number + fifty-seven

The string 'atomic number 57' is compositionally clear: 'atomic' + 'number' + 'fifty-seven' signals a specific numerical identifier applied to atoms, so a B1 learner would understand it denotes the atomic identifier 57. However, knowing that this identifier specifically maps to the element lanthanum requires domain knowledge of the periodic table rather than derivation from the constituents, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Atomic number 57 is the label scientists use for the element 'lanthanum'. The element's name comes from a Greek word meaning 'to lie hidden' because it was hard to find in minerals, so chemists often used its number, '57', to identify it. That's why Atomic number 57 today simply means the soft metal used in special glass and lenses.