holmium
Definition
Holmium is a chemical element with the symbol Ho and atomic number 67. It is a rare-earth metal that is silvery-white in colour. Holmium is found in very small amounts in the Earth's crust.
Holmium is used in a variety of applications, including:
- Lasers
- Magnets
- Optical materials
- Medical imaging
Holmium lasers are used in surgery to cut tissue and cauterise blood vessels. Holmium magnets are used in medical devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators. Holmium optical materials are used in fibre optics and in high-power lasers. Holmium is also used in medical imaging, such as MRI and PET scans.
Holmium is a relatively safe metal, but it can be toxic if ingested in large amounts. It is important to handle holmium with care and to wear gloves and a mask when working with it.
How can the word be used?
Holmium is a rare-earth element.
Different forms of the word
Noun: holmium.
Adjective: holmium.
Adverb: holmiumically.
Etymology
The word "holmium" comes from the Swedish town of Holmia, which is the Latin name for Stockholm. It was discovered by Per Teodor Cleve in 1879 and named after his hometown.
Holmium is a rare-earth element that is found in very small amounts in the Earth's crust. It is a silvery-white metal that is chemically similar to other rare-earth elements such as lanthanum and yttrium.
Question
What is holmium?