TECHNETIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Technetium is a chemical element with the symbol Tc and atomic number 43. It is a silvery-gray metal that belongs to the transition metals group in the periodic table. Technetium is unique as it is the first element to be produced artificially. It does not occur naturally on Earth and can only be found in trace amounts in some stars and meteorites.
Technetium has numerous radioactive isotopes, and its main use is in nuclear medicine. Its radioactive properties make it suitable for diagnostic imaging applications, specifically in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Technetium-99m, one of its isotopes, emits low-energy gamma rays that can be detected by specialized imaging equipment to visualize internal organs and study their function. This is invaluable in diagnosing and monitoring a range of medical conditions.
The element was named after the Greek word "technetos," meaning "artificial," due to its man-made origin. It was first discovered in 1937 by a team of Italian scientists led by Emilio Segrè and Carlo Perrier. Technetium has several other applications in industry, such as being used as a catalyst in chemical reactions and as a corrosion inhibitor for steel. However, its significance in nuclear medicine, particularly in diagnosing and treating various diseases, remains its primary role.
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Etymology of TECHNETIUM
The word "technetium" is derived from the Greek word "technētós" (τεχνητός), which means "artificial" or "synthetic". It was chosen because technetium is the first element to be artificially produced in a laboratory. Technetium was first discovered in 1937 by Italian scientist Carlo Perrier and Italian-born Emilio Segrè in the form of technetium-97. Since it did not exist naturally on Earth and was produced through artificial means, it was named "technetium" to reflect its synthetic origin.
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