Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
atomic number 72

atomic number 72

8.4
A grey metal called hafnium used in hot parts and X-ray tubes
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : número atómico 72
  • The element with atomic number 72 is hafnium.

Examples

  • Modern X-ray tubes often use atomic number 72 because of its efficient electron emission.

  • Did you know that atomic number 72 corresponds to hafnium?

  • Because atomic number 72 resists corrosion, it's valuable in high-temperature alloys.

  • The discovery of atomic number 72 filled a gap in the periodic table.

  • Because atomic number 72 is hafnium, it is used in various industrial applications including filaments.

  • The properties of atomic number 72, like its electron emission ability, make it useful in electronics.

  • Scientists often study atomic number 72 for its unique characteristics and applications in technology.

Synonyms

hafnium
vsatomic number 72
  • Specialized
1 9.6

A silver-gray metal used in thin wires and to control reactions in nuclear reactors

refers to the same element by its periodic table label rather than by name
Hf
vsatomic number 72
  • Specialized
8.4

The chemical symbol for the metal hafnium used in alloys and reactor rods

refers to the same element by its numeric periodic position rather than by letters

Surface Forms

atomic number 72 singular
atomic numbers 72 plural

Morphology

atomic + number + seventy-two

The phrase is compositional: 'atomic' (pertaining to atoms) + 'number' + 'seventy-two' directly denotes the atom-related number 72 and thus the element with that atomic number. This numeric labelling of elements is a standard, cross-linguistic scientific convention, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can deduce it refers to the chemical element (even if they may not know the name hafnium).

Etymology

Atomic number 72 comes from the way scientists give each element a number: the atomic number counts the tiny particles called 'protons' inside an atom, so the number 72 points to the element called 'hafnium'. That's why when you see atomic number 72 it means the grey metal 'hafnium', often used in filaments and heat-resistant alloys.