radiativeadj.
/ˈreɪdɪətɪv/, U.S. /ˈreɪdiədɪv/, /ˈreɪdiˌeɪdɪv/ Occurring by means of (esp. electromagnetic) radiation; involving or accompanied by the emission of radiation. Also: relating to the process of radiation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > heat > [adjective] > radiation
radiative1759
radiant1780
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > [adjective]
radiative1930
optical1944
the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > [adjective]
radioactive1903
radiative1930
1759 R. Dossie Inst. Exper. Chem. I. 52 It is otherwise with respect to radiative heat; as a medium perfectly opake, though ever so thin, wholly intercepts it.
1837 W. Whewell Hist. Inductive Sci. II. 474 In this manner the radiative effect of a body could be more precisely traced.
1889 Nature 28 Nov. 81 Our own sun falls nearly as far short of the radiative strength of Arcturus.
1930 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 129 2 Radiative transitions in the nucleus resulting in the emission of a γ-ray.
1977 J. Bowyer Central Heating i. 11 In examining the various kinds of heating apparatus we shall find that some are entirely convective and some are partly radiative and partly convective.
1998 Jrnl. Atmospheric Sci. 55 796 The model..takes into account infrared radiative cooling in cloudy conditions.
Compounds
radiative capture n. Nuclear Physics capture of a particle by an atomic nucleus with accompanying emission of one or more gamma ray photons.
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the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > gamma radiation > [noun] > capture accompanied by emission
radiative capture1935
1935 Physical Rev. 47 508/1 (heading) Radiative capture of protons by carbon.
1962 Newnes Conc. Encycl. Nucl. Energy 287/1 In radiative capture the compound nucleus de-excites through intermediate states to the ground state, each step yielding a γ-ray.
1997 Physical Rev. C. 56 1144 Theoretical predictions of the primordial 6Li abundance are extremely uncertain due to difficulties in..determinations of the 2H(α,γ)6Li radiative capture reaction cross section.
radiative equilibrium n. Astronomy and Meteorology a state of equilibrium (as in a star or the atmosphere) in which the total flux of emitted energy is equal to the flux of that absorbed; a state of equilibrium in which radiation is the predominant energy transport mechanism.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > [noun] > transport of energy entirely by
radiative equilibrium1916
1916 A. S. Eddington in Monthly Notices Royal Astron. Soc. 77 16 The theory of radiative equilibrium of a star's atmosphere was given by K. Schwarzschild in 1906.
1934 D. Brunt Physical & Dynamical Meteorol. vii. 138 It is impossible for the upper region of the atmosphere to be kept in an isothermal condition by radiative equilibrium when it is only irradiated from below by long-wave radiation.
1970 Jrnl. Brit. Astron. Assoc. 81 74 The situation is exactly the same in the case of molecular evaporation (dissipation) to space: the temperature of the gas will drop below that of radiative equilibrium.
1998 R. G. Barry & R. J. Chorley Atmosphere, Weather & Climate (ed. 7) ii. 22 The observed fluctuations of about 0.1 per cent [in the solar constant] would change the mean global temperature by ≤0.06 °C, based on calculations of radiative equilibrium.
radiative forcing n. Meteorology disturbance of the equilibrium between the radiation which the earth (or other planet) and its atmosphere absorbs from the sun and that which it emits into space.
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1976 Science 1 Oct. 78/3 The atmosphere of Mars should respond more rapidly than Earth's to radiative forcing.
1990 J. Leggett Global Warming i. 16 Any factor which can alter this balance, and so change climate, is known as a radiative forcing agent.
1997 Nature 19 June 796/2 Anthropogenic increases in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are predicted to cause a warming of the global climate by modifying radiative forcing.
Derivatives
ˈradiatively adv. by means of radiation; with emission of radiation.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > [adverb]
radiatively1951
1951 H. Wexler in T. F. Malone Compend. Meteorol. 624 Regarding the radiatively caused descent, Priestley showed that..a cooling of the free air of 2°C per day over an area 2500 km in diameter is necessary to maintain the anticyclone.
1969 Nature 16 Aug. 727/1 The permitted lines are probably radiatively excited from the lowest levels.
1973 Physics Bull. Apr. 243/1 The introduction of thallium into the crystal allows the exciton to decay radiatively by luminescence.
1994 Nature 11 Aug. 420/2 It is widely believed that increasing concentrations of these radiatively active gases will lead to global warming as less infrared radiation escapes to space.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1759