Definition

A rare and heavy metallic element that is silvery-white and has a very high melting point. It is used in electrical contacts and high-temperature thermocouples.

Example

Rhenium is often used in jet engines due to its ability to withstand high temperatures.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the element rhenium?

Yeah, I think it's one of the rare metals, right?

Exactly! It's used in some high-temperature applications.

That's cool! I didn't know it had such a high melting point.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Rhenium is derived from the Latin word 'Rhenus' (meaning Rhine), which refers to the Rhine River in Europe, where the element was first discovered. The suffix '-ium' is commonly used in chemistry to denote metallic elements. Thus, Rhenium is named after the Rhine River, indicating its geographical connection to its discovery.

Memory Tip

Think of the Rhine River ('Rhenus') in Europe, where Rhenium was first found, and remember that the '-ium' ending signifies it as a metal.

Visually Confused Words