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

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

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

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 John Joly

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 John Joly

The retardation of the alpha ray in the atom is not affected.

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