non-radioactive
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not emitting radiation: "non-radioactive" describes a substance or material that does not produce or emit ionizing radiation, such as alpha, beta, or gamma rays. It is the opposite of radioactive.
- Safe from nuclear decay: Refers to elements or isotopes that are stable and do not undergo spontaneous radioactive decay.
Usage Examples
- (Tracers that do not emit harmful radiation.)
- (Made safe by removing radioactive properties.)
- (Stable isotopes that pose no radiation risk.)
Advanced Usage
"non-radioactive decay": Although "non-radioactive" typically implies no decay, in some contexts it can refer to processes like electron capture or beta decay that do not involve gamma emission, but standard usage strictly means no decay.
- The sample was confirmed to be non-radioactive, showing no decay over several months. (No measurable radioactive activity.)
"non-radioactive contaminant": A pollutant that does not pose a radiation hazard.
- The soil contained non-radioactive heavy metals, not radioactive substances. (Toxic but not radioactive.)
Variants and Related Words
Radioactive (adj): emitting radiation.
- Uranium is a highly radioactive element. (It produces dangerous radiation.)
Radioactivity (n): the emission of radiation from unstable atomic nuclei.
- The radioactivity of the sample was measured with a Geiger counter. (The level of emitted radiation.)
Synonyms
- Stable: not undergoing radioactive decay.
- Inert: not chemically reactive or radioactive.
- Non-emitting: not producing radiation.
Antonyms
- Radioactive: emitting radiation.
- Unstable: prone to radioactive decay.
Related Idioms
- "Non-radioactive as a stone": A figurative expression meaning completely safe and inert, though not a common idiom.
- After treatment, the substance was as non-radioactive as a stone. (Totally harmless.)
Phrasal Verbs (Not applicable)
- No common phrasal verbs for "non-radioactive" exist, as it is a technical adjective used mostly in scientific contexts.