Geiger-Nuttall law

proper noun

A rule relating the decay constant of a radioactive isotope with the energy of the alpha particles emitted. Roughly speaking, it states that short-lived isotopes emit more energetic alpha particles than long-lived ones.

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Geiger-Nuttall rule
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Meanings

proper nounthe Geiger-Nuttall law
  1. natural sciencesA rule relating the decay constant of a radioactive isotope with the energy of the alpha particles emitted. Roughly speaking, it states that short-lived isotopes emit more energetic alpha particles than long-lived ones.

    Synonyms: Geiger-Nuttall rule

Synonyms & antonyms

proper nounA rule relating the decay constant of a radioactive isotope with the energy of the alpha particles emitted. Roughly speaking, it states that short-lived isotopes emit more energetic alpha particles than long-lived ones.

Similar
Geiger-Nuttall rule
Also see
geiger-nuttall rule

Origin

Formulated in 1911 by Hans Geiger and John Mitchell Nuttall.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Geiger-Nuttall law. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Geiger-Nuttall%20law

MLA

“Geiger-Nuttall law.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Geiger-Nuttall%20law. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Geiger-Nuttall law,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Geiger-Nuttall%20law.

Source: Geiger-Nuttall law on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.