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

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 Venable, Francis Preston

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

Each alpha ray leaving the nucleus will just attain its range and then cease to affect the mica.

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

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