Element named after a planet 7 Little Words

The crossword clue "Element named after a planet" with the answer "NEPTUNIUM" refers to neptunium, a chemical element with the symbol Np and atomic number 93. Neptunium was named after the planet Neptune, following the naming convention of naming elements after planets in our solar system. This was the first transuranic element, meaning it is located beyond uranium on the periodic table.

Neptunium was discovered in 1940 by physicists Edwin McMillan and Philip H. Abelson at the University of California, Berkeley. The naming of neptunium was significant because it followed uranium (named after the planet Uranus), and its discovery demonstrated the ability to synthesize elements heavier than uranium. Neptunium is radioactive and has several isotopes, with the most stable being neptunium-239. Its name honors the planet Neptune, reflecting the tradition of naming elements after celestial bodies.

The crossword clue "Element named after a planet" with the answer "URANIUM" refers to uranium, a chemical element with the symbol U and atomic number 92. Uranium was named after the planet Uranus, which itself was discovered in 1781, just a few years before the element was isolated in 1789 by the German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth. The naming of uranium followed the convention of naming newly discovered elements after celestial bodies, continuing the tradition of linking science and astronomy.

Uranium is a radioactive metal that has played a crucial role in the development of nuclear energy and weapons. It was the first element to be discovered to have radioactive properties, which were later foundational to the study of nuclear physics. The element’s association with Uranus highlights the scientific trend of naming elements after planets, reflecting both a fascination with space and the ongoing advancements in science during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The crossword clue "Element named after a planet" with the answer "MERCURY" refers to mercury, a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. The element was named after the planet Mercury, which is the closest planet to the Sun in our solar system. The association between the planet and the element lies in the planet's speed and fluidity. The planet Mercury moves quickly in its orbit around the Sun, and mercury (the element), also known as quicksilver, is a liquid at room temperature, further emphasizing its fast-moving and fluid nature.

Mercury, the element, has been used in thermometers, barometers, and other instruments due to its ability to expand and contract predictably with temperature changes. It also has significant historical applications in medicine and industry, although its toxic properties have led to its reduction in use over time. The name "mercury" thus reflects both the element's unique properties and its connection to the swift-moving planet.

The crossword clue "Element named after a planet" with the answer "PLUTONIUM" refers to plutonium, a radioactive chemical element with the symbol Pu and atomic number 94. The element was named after the dwarf planet Pluto, which was discovered shortly before the element's discovery in 1940. Pluto, at the time, was still considered the ninth planet in our solar system.

Just as Pluto was the furthest planet from the Sun, plutonium is one of the heaviest elements in the periodic table, emphasizing the theme of distance or extremity. Plutonium is a highly radioactive metal and has been used in nuclear reactors and weapons due to its ability to undergo fission. The naming of plutonium reflected the trend of naming elements after celestial bodies, following a similar practice with elements like uranium (named after the planet Uranus) and neptunium (named after the planet Neptune).