radioactive series
noun Physics, Chemistry.
a succession of elements initiated in the radioactive decay of a parent, as thorium or uranium, each of which decays into the next until a stable element, usually lead, is produced.
Also called
decay series.
Origin of radioactive series
First recorded in 1920–25
Words nearby radioactive series
British Dictionary definitions for radioactive series
radioactive series
noun
physics
a series of nuclides each of which undergoes radioactive decay into the next member of the series, ending with a stable element, usually lead
See uranium series, neptunium series, thorium series, actinium series