Bremsstrahlung is a term used in physics to describe a type of radiation that is produced when charged particles, such as electrons, are decelerated by an electric field. This phenomenon is of great importance in many fields, including nuclear physics, astrophysics, and medical imaging.
Definitions
Bremsstrahlung is defined as the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a charged particle when it is decelerated by another charged particle or by a field. The term is derived from the German word “Bremsen,” which means “to brake,” and “Strahlung,” which means “radiation.” Thus, bremsstrahlung can be translated as “braking radiation.”
Origin
Bremsstrahlung was first observed in 1895 by Wilhelm Röntgen, the discoverer of X-rays. He noticed that when electrons were accelerated by a high voltage and then struck a metal target, they produced a new type of radiation that was distinct from X-rays. This radiation was later identified as bremsstrahlung.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, bremsstrahlung is “electromagnetic radiation emitted by a charged particle when its motion is altered by the electric field of another charged particle or by the nucleus of an atom.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines bremsstrahlung as “the electromagnetic radiation produced by the deceleration of a charged particle, especially an electron, by the electrostatic field of an atomic nucleus or other charged particle.”
Associations
Bremsstrahlung is associated with a variety of phenomena, including the production of X-rays in medical imaging, the radiation emitted by stars and other celestial objects, and the radiation produced by nuclear reactions.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for bremsstrahlung include braking radiation, deceleration radiation, and Coulomb radiation.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for bremsstrahlung, as it is a specific type of radiation that is not typically opposed by another type of radiation.
The same root words
Bremsstrahlung shares its root words with other terms in physics, including “Bremswirkung,” which means “braking effect,” and “Strahlungsenergie,” which means “radiation energy.”
Example Sentences
- The X-rays produced in medical imaging are a type of bremsstrahlung radiation.
- The bremsstrahlung emitted by stars can provide valuable information about their composition and temperature.
- Nuclear reactions can produce bremsstrahlung radiation that can be harmful to living organisms.
Bremsstrahlung is a term that describes a specific type of radiation that is produced when charged particles are decelerated by an electric field. This phenomenon has important applications in many fields, including medical imaging, astrophysics, and nuclear physics. Understanding the properties and behavior of bremsstrahlung radiation is essential for advancing our understanding of the physical world.