radioactive series

American  

noun

Physics, Chemistry.

1. a succession of elements initiated in the radioactive decay of a parent, as thorium or uranium, each of which decays into the next until a stable element, usually lead, is produced.

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radioactive series British  

noun

1. physics a series of nuclides each of which undergoes radioactive decay into the next member of the series, ending with a stable element, usually lead See uranium series neptunium series thorium series actinium series

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Etymology

Origin of radioactive series

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

"This is the metal we're going to attack, uranium—the parent of radium—and the whole radioactive series, ending with the end-product lead."

From Project Gutenberg