Americium Word Search
Americium, as a word search. 12 words drawn from the terms and ideas of a school subject sit hidden in a 15×15 letter grid, running in every direction. Drag across a word to claim it, and clear the board to finish.
Words to find: AMERICIUM, ACTINIDE, ELEMENT, PERIODIC, ATOM, NUCLEAR, RADIOACTIVE, RADIOACTIVITY, ISOTOPE, FISSION, SYNTHETIC, DECAY.
Words run in any of eight directions, backwards included — if one refuses to turn up, try reading the grid right to left.
Americium word list, defined
General dictionary meanings, not specific to this puzzle's theme.
- AMERICIUM /ˌæm.əˈrɪ.si.əm/ · noun
- A synthetic radioactive chemical element with atomic number 95 and symbol Am, a silvery-white member of the actinide series produced artificially in nuclear reactors.
- ACTINIDE /ˈæktɪnaɪd/ · noun
- Any of the series of fifteen metallic chemical elements with atomic numbers 89 through 103, from actinium through lawrencium, all of which are radioactive and occupy the row beneath the lanthanides in the periodic table. Related: actinoid, actinide element.
- ELEMENT /ˈɛlɪmənt/ · noun
- A fundamental or essential part of something larger; in chemistry and physics, a substance consisting of atoms all with the same atomic number that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means. Related: component, constituent, ingredient, factor.
- PERIODIC British /ˌpɪə.rɪˈɒd.ɪk/; US /ˌpi.əˈrɑː.dɪk/ · adjective
- Occurring at regular intervals or according to a recurring pattern; cyclical. In technical contexts, it can also mean relating to a recurring cycle, especially in mathematics, science, or chemistry. Related: regular, recurrent, recurring, cyclical.
- ATOM /ˈætəm/ · noun
- The smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of that element, consisting of a nucleus of protons and neutrons orbited by electrons. More broadly, the tiniest conceivable particle or amount of something. Related: particle, molecule, unit, speck.
- NUCLEAR /ˈnjuː.klɪər/ (British); /ˈnuː.klɚ/ (US) · adjective; informal noun
- Relating to the nucleus of an atom or to energy and weapons produced through nuclear reactions. In figurative use, it means central, fundamental, or concentrated around a core. Related: atomic, radioactive, thermonuclear, radiological.
- RADIOACTIVE /ˌreɪ.di.oʊˈæk.tɪv/ · adjective
- Having unstable atomic nuclei that spontaneously emit ionizing radiation. Informally, extremely exciting, intense, or dangerously attractive.
- RADIOACTIVITY /ˌreɪ.di.oʊ.ækˈtɪv.ə.ti/ (US); /ˌreɪ.di.əʊˈæk.tɪv.ə.ti/ (UK) · noun
- The spontaneous decay of unstable atomic nuclei, accompanied by the emission of ionizing radiation such as alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. Related: radioactive activity, radioactive decay.
- ISOTOPE /ˈaɪsoʊˌtaʊp/ · noun
- An isotope is one of two or more forms of the same chemical element that have identical numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Isotopes therefore have nearly identical chemical properties but different atomic masses and may differ in stability and radioactivity.
- FISSION /ˈfɪʃən/ · noun
- The process of splitting into two or more parts, especially the splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus (such as uranium-235) into smaller nuclei with the release of enormous energy. In biology, it also refers to the division of a single-celled organism into two or more daughter cells. Related: splitting, division, cleavage, separation.
- SYNTHETIC /sɪnˈθɛtɪk/ · adjective
- Made by chemical synthesis or industrial manufacture rather than occurring naturally. By extension, it can mean artificial but convincingly realistic or produced by a formal system rather than arising organically. Related: artificial, manufactured, engineered, fabricated.
- DECAY /dɪˈkeɪ/ · verb and noun
- To decay is to rot or decompose through natural processes, or to decline gradually in quality, condition, or strength. As a noun, decay refers to the state or process of rotting, decomposition, or gradual deterioration. Related: rot, decompose, deteriorate, wither.
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