radioactivity

radioactivity
The property of some atomic nuclei of spontaneously emitting gamma rays or subatomic particles (α and β rays) by the process of nuclear disintegration and measured in disintegrations per second (dps). One dps is equal to 1 becquerel, and 3.7 × 1010 dps equals 1 curie.
- artificial r. the r. of isotopes created by the bombardment of naturally occurring isotopes by subatomic particles, or high levels of x- or gamma radiation. SYN: induced r..
- induced r. SYN: artificial r..

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ra·dio·ac·tiv·i·ty -ak-'tiv-ət-ē n, pl -ties the property possessed by some elements (as uranium) or isotopes (as carbon 14) of spontaneously emitting energetic particles (as electrons or alpha particles) by the disintegration of their atomic nuclei

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n.
disintegration of the nuclei of certain elements, with the emission of energy in the form of alpha, beta, or gamma rays. As particles are emitted the elements 'decay' into other elements. Naturally occurring radioactive elements include radium and uranium. There are many artificially produced isotopes, including iodine-131 and cobalt-60 used in radiotherapy; technetium-99m is used in nuclear medicine. See radioisotope.
• radioactive adj.

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ra·dio·ac·tiv·i·ty (ra″de-o-ak-tivґĭ-te) 1. emission of corpuscular or electromagnetic radiations consequent to nuclear disintegration, a natural property of all chemical elements of atomic number above 83; this can also be induced in all other known elements. 2. the quality of having such emissions.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • radioactivity — a di*o*ac*tiv i*ty (r[=a] d[i^]*[ o]*[a^]k*t[i^]v [i^]*t[y^]), n. (Physics) a form of instability which is a property of the atomic nuclei of certain isotopes, which causes a spontaneous change in the structure of the nucleus, accompanied by… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • radioactivity — radioactivity. См. радиоактивность. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • Radioactivity — Radioactivity. См. Радиоактивность. (Источник: «Металлы и сплавы. Справочник.» Под редакцией Ю.П. Солнцева; НПО Профессионал , НПО Мир и семья ; Санкт Петербург, 2003 г.) …   Словарь металлургических терминов

  • Radioactivity — См. Радиоактивность Термины атомной энергетики. Концерн Росэнергоатом, 2010 …   Термины атомной энергетики

  • radioactivity — (n.) 1899, from RADIOACTIVE (Cf. radioactive) + ITY (Cf. ity) …   Etymology dictionary

  • radioactivity — ► NOUN 1) the emission of ionizing radiation or particles caused by the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei. 2) radioactive particles …   English terms dictionary

  • radioactivity — /ray dee oh ak tiv i tee/, n. Physics, Chem. the phenomenon, exhibited by and being a property of certain elements, of spontaneously emitting radiation resulting from changes in the nuclei of atoms of the element. Also called activity. [1895… …   Universalium

  • radioactivity — noun … OF RADIOACTIVITY ▪ level ▪ The soil contains 30 times the acceptable level of radioactivity. VERB + RADIOACTIVITY ▪ produce, release ▪ the amount of radioactivity released b …   Collocations dictionary

  • radioactivity — n. 1) to emit, generate, produce radioactivity 2) (a) dangerous (level of) radioactivity * * * generate produce radioactivity (a) dangerous (level of) radioactivity to emit …   Combinatory dictionary

  • radioactivity — Synonyms and related words: activity, artificial radioactivity, contamination, curiage, decontamination, fallout, half life, natural radioactivity, nuclear radiation, radiant energy, radiation, radioactive radiation, radiocarbon dating,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • radioactivity — ra|di|o|ac|tiv|i|ty [ˌreıdiəuækˈtıvıti US diou ] n [U] the sending out of ↑radiation (=a form of energy) when the ↑nucleus (=central part) of an atom has broken apart ▪ the discovery of radioactivity ▪ high levels of radioactivity …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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