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radioactivity

radioactivity

23 5.5
Release of tiny particles or rays from unstable atoms as they change
  • noun
  • /ˌreɪdiəʊˈæktɪvɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : radiactividad
  • After the accident, the government had to assess the radioactivity levels in the surrounding areas.
  • natural radioactivity
  • measure radioactivity
  • release radioactivity

The fatal flaw of that whole scheme is that it spreads radioactivity all around.

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Examples

  • Flooding would cause canisters to crack and spew radioactivity into the environment.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The documents stated that the levels of radioactivity appeared to be significantly higher than the average background.

  • You have seen real radioactivity put to use.

  • So here you see a slide showing the radioactivity of spent fuel.

  • Indeed, radioactivity levels are typically higher near coal plants than near nuclear power plants.

  • Second, there is a constant, fairly high background level of radioactivity involved.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Every geologic survey, no matter what its original purpose, was to look for signs of radioactivity.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Non-union Navajo miners were exposed to high levels of radioactivity in mines and mills.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Neutrinos are produced on Earth by natural radioactivity, by nuclear reactors, and by high-energy accelerators.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The level of radioactivity near the nuclear power plant was closely monitored to ensure safety.

Synonyms

radiation
vsradioactivity
  • Specialized
438 4.5

Energy that comes out as rays or waves, like sunlight

is specifically about spontaneous nuclear particle or wave release by unstable nuclei
decay
vsradioactivity
  • Specialized
53 7.8

The process when a radioactive atom changes and gives off radiation

refers to the emission process at material level, not just nucleus change
radioactive decay
vsradioactivity
  • Specialized
3 6.0

An unstable atom's nucleus loses energy by giving off radiation

is about spontaneous particle or wave release from unstable nuclei rather than energy loss
disintegration
vsradioactivity
  • Specialized
2 7.8

A radioactive atom breaks apart and gives off radiation

describes the particle or wave emission itself rather than the material breakup

Compounds

radioactivity unit
  • Specialized
5.1

A measure that shows how strong radioactivity is, like the becquerel

How Radioactive

high-level radioactive waste
  • Specialized
1 7.8
radioactivity
  • Specialized
23 5.5
non-radiation
  • Specialized
6.6

Surface Forms

radioactivity singular

Morphology

radioactivity = radioactive (semi-transparent) = radio + active + ity

Formation from the adjective 'radioactive' to the noun with '-ity' is a standard, predictable derivation.

Etymology

Radioactivity comes from an old Latin word radius meaning 'ray' and the familiar word activity meaning 'action'. So radioactivity literally means 'the action of giving off rays', which fits how unstable atoms send out particles or energy.