radioactive series


nounPhysics, 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.

Origin of radioactive series

1
First recorded in 1920–25
  • Also called decay series.

Words Nearby radioactive series

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British Dictionary definitions for radioactive series

radioactive series

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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