radiolysis

[ rey-dee-ol-uh-sis ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. the dissociation of molecules by ionizing radiation.

radiolysis

/ ˌreɪdɪəʊˈlɪtɪk; ˌreɪdɪˈɒlɪsɪs /

noun

1. chemical decomposition caused by radiation, such as a beam of electrons or X-rays

Derived Forms

• radiolytic, adjective

Other Words From

• ra·di·o·lyt·ic [rey-dee-oh-, lit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of radiolysis¹

First recorded in 1945–50; radio- + -lysis

Example Sentences

A second mechanism, radiolysis, may generate the rest.

From Science Magazine

Now a study published in Astrobiology contends that radiolysis could have powered microbial life in the Martian subsurface.

From Scientific American

Extrapolating these rates over geologically important periods of time and merging with modeled radiolysis data yields a predicted 1000-fold decrease in 100–atomic mass unit organic molecules in ∼650 million years.

From Science Magazine

It’s covered by the ancient Gawler Craton, and its iron and uranium mines point to the source rocks needed for both serpentinization and radiolysis.

From Science Magazine

They plugged these attributes into a computer model that simulated radiolysis to see how efficiently the process would have generated hydrogen gas and sulfates: chemical ingredients that can power the metabolism of underground bacteria.

From Scientific American