Cerenkov effect

/tʃɛˈɹɛŋkəf ɛˈfɛkt/

noun

The emission of light (Cerenkov radiation) that occurs when a charged particle passes through an insulator at a speed greater than the speed of light in that medium; the characteristic blue glow from a nuclear reactor.

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Meanings

nounCerenkov effect (plural Cerenkov effects)

plural Cerenkov effects · alternative Cherenkov effect

  1. natural sciencesThe emission of light (Cerenkov radiation) that occurs when a charged particle passes through an insulator at a speed greater than the speed of light in that medium; the characteristic blue glow from a nuclear reactor.

Origin

Named after Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov.

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Translations

French effet Cerenkov
  • effet Cerenkovemission of light
Cite this entry
APA

Cerenkov effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Cerenkov%20effect

MLA

“Cerenkov effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Cerenkov%20effect. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Cerenkov effect,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Cerenkov%20effect.

Source: Cerenkov effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.