spallation

American  

[spaw-ley-shuhn] / spɔˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

Physics.

1. a nuclear reaction in which several nucleons are released from the nucleus of an atom.

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spallation British  

/ spəˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. physics a type of nuclear reaction in which a photon or particle hits a nucleus and causes it to emit many other particles or photons

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Etymology

Origin of spallation

First recorded in 1945–50; spall + -ation

Example Sentences

When the protons hit the tungsten, they kick showers of neutrons out of the target atoms through a process called neutron spallation.

From Scientific American

The report proposes creating a new facility on the site of an existing spallation neutron source to test neutron-resistant materials for future reactors.

From Science Magazine

That knocks out neutrons in a process called spallation.

From Science Magazine

Two general types of reactions, known as spallation and fragmentation, are distinguished.

From Project Gutenberg