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Iodine is a nonmetallic chemical element and the heaviest nonradioactive halogen. It is a very nearly black crystalline solid that can turn to a deep violet, irritating vapor. In nature it is never found uncombined, and occurs mostly in brines and seaweeds. Dietary iodine is essential for thyroid gland function, so table salt usually has potassium iodide added to prevent iodine deficiency. Elemental iodine is used in medicine, in synthesizing some organic chemicals, in manufacturing dyes, in analytical chemistry, and in photography. The radioactive isotope I-131, with an eight-day half-life, is very useful in medicine and other applications.
: a chemical element that is used especially in medicine and photography
See words that rhyme with iodine Spanish Central: Translation of iodine Nglish: Translation of iodine for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of iodine for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about iodine
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