alpha ray

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a stream of alpha particles.

---

alpha ray British  

noun

1. ionizing radiation consisting of a stream of alpha particles

---

alpha ray Scientific  

1. A stream of alpha particles.

---

Etymology

Origin of alpha ray

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

alpha ray

Such is a brief summary of the climax of radioactive discovery:—the birth, life and death of the alpha ray.

From The Birth-Time of the World and Other Scientific Essays by Joly, John

But in point of fact the ionisation due to an alpha ray is sui generis.

From The Birth-Time of the World and Other Scientific Essays by Joly, John

The explanation does not suggest that the ionising power of any one ray is actually diminished before it finally ceases to be an alpha ray.

From The Birth-Time of the World and Other Scientific Essays by Joly, John

How the work of the alpha ray is sometimes recorded visibly in the rocks and what we may learn from that record, I propose now to bring before you.

From The Birth-Time of the World and Other Scientific Essays by Joly, John

Ionisation by alpha ray, density of, 221; importance in chemical actions, 250; in living cell, 250.

From The Birth-Time of the World and Other Scientific Essays by Joly, John