alpha ray

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a stream of alpha particles.

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alpha ray British  

noun

1. ionizing radiation consisting of a stream of alpha particles

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alpha ray Scientific  

1. A stream of alpha particles.

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Etymology

Origin of alpha ray

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

alpha ray

When the alpha ray has sufficiently slowed down, its power of passing right through atoms, without appreciably experiencing any effects from them, diminishes.

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

The alpha ray carries a positive charge of double the ionic amount.

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

For it proves that in the mineral the alpha ray gives rise to the same increased ionisation towards the end of its range, as Bragg determined in the case of gases.

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

When an alpha ray is discharged from the transforming element into a gaseous medium its velocity is rapidly checked and its energy absorbed.

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

This is due to the bombardment of the zinc sulphide by a type of ray called the alpha ray.

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