Definition

A rare metal that is liquid at room temperature and is used in electronics and alloys.

Example

Gallium is often used in the production of semiconductors.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of gallium?

Yeah, isn’t it that metal that’s liquid at room temperature?

Exactly! It's really interesting how it expands when it solidifies.

I know, right? It’s used in some cool tech stuff like semiconductors.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Gallium is derived from the Latin word 'gallus' (meaning rooster), which is a reference to the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier, who named the element after his native country, France, where the rooster is a national symbol. The suffix '-ium' is commonly used in chemistry to denote metallic elements. Thus, gallium refers to a metal named in honor of France, symbolized by the rooster.

Memory Tip

Think of the rooster ('gallus') as a symbol of France, which helps you remember that gallium is a metal named after the country.

Visually Confused Words