Definition

A rare, hard, silvery-white metal that is found in platinum ores and is used to strengthen other metals and as a catalyst in various chemical reactions.

Example

Ruthenium is often used in electronics and jewelry due to its durability and resistance to corrosion.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of ruthenium?

Yeah, I think it's a type of metal, right?

Exactly! It's used to harden alloys for jewelry.

That's interesting! I didn't know it had such practical uses.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ruthenium is derived from the Latin 'Ruthenia' (meaning Russia), referring to the country where the element was first discovered. The suffix '-ium' is commonly used in chemistry to denote metallic elements. Thus, ruthenium is named after Russia, indicating its geographical origin.

Memory Tip

Think of 'Ruthenia' as a reference to Russia, which helps you remember that ruthenium is named after the country where it was discovered.

Visually Confused Words