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 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

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

We must conclude that the effect of the ionisation due to the alpha ray has not been to alter fundamentally the conditions which give rise to the optical properties of the medium.

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