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

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

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

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 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

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 Joly, John

Now Geiger has investigated and proved the existence of scattering of the alpha ray by solids.

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