alpha radiation

British  

noun

1. alpha particles emitted from a radioactive isotope

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alpha radiation Cultural  

1. Particles sent out by some radioactive nuclei, each particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons bound together. Alpha particles carry a positive charge. (See beta radiation and gamma radiation.)

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Alpha radiation, unlike gamma radiation, has low penetrating power; it can be stopped by clothing.

Example Sentences

Plutonium isotopes emit alpha radiation that is relatively benign outside the body, because it cannot travel through solid objects.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2025

The alpha radiation that DU emits is not strong enough to penetrate human skin, so just being near depleted uranium is not a health risk.

From Salon • Jun. 17, 2023

Such radiation is easy to block; one’s epidermis can block alpha radiation, and a few millimeters of aluminum can block beta radiation.

From Washington Post • Feb. 22, 2019

Tests were to show massive alpha radiation contamination in the second cubicle on the left – 2,600 counts per second on the door, 200 on the flush handle.

From The Guardian • Jan. 19, 2016

Under an intense alpha radiation paraffin or vaseline become hard and infusible.

From A Brief Account of Radio-activity by Venable, Francis Preston