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

It means that, knowing the chemical composition and density of any medium whatsoever, solid, liquid or gaseous, we can calculate accurately the distance to which any particular alpha ray will penetrate.

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

Bragg and Kleeman and others have investigated the career of the alpha ray when its path or range lies in a gas at ordinary or obtainable conditions of pressure and temperature.

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

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 Joly, John

Helium and the alpha ray, 214, 222; colouration of halo not due to, 236.

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

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