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zirconium

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Zirconium is a metal that is found in nature. It is a shiny, silvery-white metal that is used in a variety of products, including jewellery, magnets, and nuclear reactors.

Zirconium is a strong and durable metal that is also resistant to corrosion. It is often used in applications where these properties are important, such as in jewellery and nuclear reactors.

How can the word be used?

Zirconium is used in some types of jewellery, such as engagement rings.

zirconium

Different forms of the word

Noun:

  • zirconium (a chemical element with the symbol Zr and atomic number 40).
  • zirconium dioxide (a white, crystalline solid with the formula ZrO2).
  • zirconium carbide (a hard, grey-black solid with the formula ZrC).

Adjective:

  • zirconium-based (made from or containing zirconium).
  • zirconium-doped (containing zirconium atoms that have been added to another substance).

Etymology

The word "zirconium" comes from the Persian word "zargun", which means "golden-colored". The Persian word "zargun" was borrowed into the Latin language as "zirconus", and the English word "zirconium" is derived from this Latin word.

The element zirconium was first discovered in 1789 by Martin Heinrich Klaproth, a German chemist. Klaproth found zirconium in the mineral zircon, which is a type of gemstone.

Question

What are the properties of zirconium?