ruthenium

[ roo-thee-nee-uhm, -theen-yuhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a steel-gray, rare metallic element, belonging to the platinum group of metals. : Ru; : 101.07; : 44; : 12.2 at 20°C.

ruthenium

/ ruːˈθiːnɪəm /

noun

1. a hard brittle white element of the platinum metal group. It occurs free with other platinum metals in pentlandite and other ores and is used to harden platinum and palladium. Symbol: Ru; atomic no: 44; atomic wt: 101.07; valency: 0–8; relative density: 12.41; melting pt: 2334°C; boiling pt: 4150°C

ruthenium

/ ro̅o̅-thē′nē-əm /

1. A rare, silvery-gray metallic element that is hard, brittle, and very resistant to corrosion. It is used to harden alloys of platinum and palladium for jewelry and electrical contacts. Atomic number 44; atomic weight 101.07; melting point 2,310°C; boiling point 3,900°C; specific gravity 12.41; valence 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruthenium¹

1840–50; < New Latin, named after Ruthenia (from the fact that it was first found in ore from the region); -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruthenium¹

C19: from Medieval Latin Ruthenia Russia, where it was first discovered

Example Sentences

The lower ovoids in ruthenium are identical in composition, with those of iron, cobalt and nickel and may be studied under Iron.

From Project Gutenberg

The metals of the first of these groups—ruthenium, rhodium, and palladium—have atomic weights near 100 and densities near 12.

From Project Gutenberg

In Fremys process for separating osmium from the residues of platinum ore, ruthenium occurs in a dioxide.

From Project Gutenberg