Geiger-Nuttall law

English

Etymology

Formulated in 1911 by Hans Geiger and John Mitchell Nuttall.

Proper noun

the Geiger-Nuttall law

1. (physics) 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.

   Synonym: Geiger-Nuttall rule