spallation
noun
spall·ation
spȯ-ˈlā-shən 
1
: a nuclear reaction in which light particles are ejected as the result of bombardment (as by high-energy protons)
2
: the process of spalling
Examples of spallation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those protons smashing and staying put creates the right kind of actinium through a process called spallation.
—
Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2024
In a process called spallation, high-energy cosmic rays from exploding stars can ram into interstellar gas particles, says Pierre Salati, a particle astrophysicist at the Annecy-le-Vieux Particle Physics Laboratory, who worked on Poulin’s 2019 study.
—Leto Sapunar, Scientific American, 7 June 2021
Are there a sufficient number of meteorites slamming into planets to launch life-seeding rocks through space (a.k.a. cause spallation)?
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2024
In a process called spallation, high-energy cosmic rays from exploding stars can ram into interstellar gas particles, says Pierre Salati, a particle astrophysicist at the Annecy-le-Vieux Particle Physics Laboratory, who worked on Poulin’s 2019 study.
—Leto Sapunar, Scientific American, 7 June 2021
Are there a sufficient number of meteorites slamming into planets to launch life-seeding rocks through space (a.k.a. cause spallation)?
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2017
Dictionary Entries Near spallation
Cite this Entry
“Spallation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spallation. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share