What is the Only Continental With a Chemical Elements Named For It?
Table of Contents
What is the Only Continental With a Chemical Elements Named For It?
Did you know that the only continent with a chemical element named after it is Argentina? Yes, Rio de la Plata refers to Argentina. But did you know that Argentina also has a country named after silver? The answer to that question will help you understand the namesake of these countries and regions. This article also features information on Indium, Pluto, and Seaborgium.
Indium
Indium is found in ores found in Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Japan, Russia, South Africa, and the United States. It is also found in the USA, Afghanistan, and some European countries. However, its only known source is the Toyoha mine in Japan. Other sources include Chile, Canada, and Australia. In addition, some of the metal’s ores are found in Germany, especially the Rammelberg.
Indium was first used as a dental gold alloy in 1933. The Second World War saw extensive indium use in aircraft bearings and other products. Since the Second World War, indium has been used mainly in the electronics industry, as soldering material and low-melting alloys. With the development of nuclear energy, indium’s importance was recognized and the price of the metal increased. In the 1980s, however, the Three Mile Island nuclear accident led to a decrease in demand for the metal.
Argentine
The name of Argentina comes from the Latin word “argentum,” meaning “silver.” Early voyagers believed that vast deposits of the metal were found in the region. Silver is a lustrous white metal that readily forms alloys with other elements. The element is used in many gadgets and is symbolised by the atomic number 47. However, the metal is not a valuable commodity in its pure form, and is mainly obtained as copper.
In addition to silver, Argentina has two chemical elements named for it: lutetium and gallium. Both of these elements were discovered in the country. The name “argentium” comes from a Latin word that means silver. The word “argentium” was first used in 1526 by Sebastian Cabot, who was lured to the continent by stories of great wealth in areas south of Brazil. He named these areas “Rio de la Plata.”
Seaborgium
The chemical element seaborgium is a synthetic metal with atomic number 106 and the symbol Sg. It is one of the six d-block transition metals and has the same properties as tungsten. Though its chemistry is not fully understood, it is considered similar to tungsten. The chemical formula of seaborgium is SgO3.
While the American Chemical Society first wanted the element 106 to be named after its namesake, the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) initially refused to name it after a living person, but eventually relented and ratified the element’s name. Since that time, seaborgium has become the only continent to have a chemical element named after it.
Pluto
There are nine chemical elements named after astronomical objects, including the Sun, the moon and half of the eight planets. Pluto is the only continent with a chemical element named for it, while Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn do not. Pluto was named after a dwarf plant, while the other two bodies in the Asteroid Belt were named after a star. Some chemical elements are named after deities and are connected to a continent. The element mercury is named after a Greek deity. In addition to its namesake, it is connected to the planets of the Solar System.
Although Pluto has no known scientific significance, it has been given a name after the planet that has no terrestrial presence. The chemical element Onnesium is found on Pluto, and it is mildly radioactive and dangerous. It is a valuable superconductor and has been used in several video games, including Exalted, but is also a prominent element in irregular webcomic comics.