A Space & astronomy forum. SpaceBanter.com

Go Back   Home » SpaceBanter.com forum » Astronomy and Astrophysics » Astronomy Misc
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

"metals"



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old November 19th 04, 08:14 PM
John Zinni
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default "metals"

Hi All

When an astronomer/astrophysicist uses the word "metals" he/she is referring
to the group of all elements other than H and He.

Does anyone know the etymology of this particular use of the word "metals"?

Thanks

  #2  
Old November 25th 04, 12:44 AM
Prai Jei
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

John Zinni (or somebody else of the same name) wrote thusly in message
:

Hi All

When an astronomer/astrophysicist uses the word "metals" he/she is
referring to the group of all elements other than H and He.

Does anyone know the etymology of this particular use of the word
"metals"?

Thanks


Most of the elements with Z2 are metals. Astrophysicists might have begun
by saying "metals and heavier non-metals" and the expression gradually got
chopped to its first word.
--
Paul Townsend
Pair them off into threes

Interchange the alphabetic letter groups to reply
  #3  
Old November 30th 04, 10:12 PM
Steve Willner
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In article ,
"John Zinni" writes:
When an astronomer/astrophysicist uses the word "metals" he/she is referring
to the group of all elements other than H and He.


That would be my first thought, but I might decide otherwise in some
particular context.

Sorry... can't help with the etymology. I'd expect it to be fairly
recent, though, because only in the 1930's was it realized that the
Universe is mostly hydrogen and helium.

--
Steve Willner Phone 617-495-7123
Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
(Please email your reply if you want to be sure I see it; include a
valid Reply-To address to receive an acknowledgement. Commercial
email may be sent to your ISP.)
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Microwave Heating of Metals sanman Policy 12 July 22nd 04 01:36 AM
Age of solar system metals? Jack Kessler Astronomy Misc 4 October 9th 03 08:42 PM
Stars Rich In Heavy Metals Tend To Harbor Planets, Astronomers Report Ron Baalke Misc 5 August 10th 03 10:58 PM
Stars Rich In Heavy Metals Tend To Harbor Planets, Astronomers Report Ron Baalke Science 0 July 21st 03 06:10 PM
Stars rich in heavy metals tend to harbor planets, astronomers report(Forwarded) Andrew Yee Astronomy Misc 0 July 21st 03 05:45 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:47 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 SpaceBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.