X-RAY DIFFRACTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does X-ray diffraction mean? 

• X-RAY DIFFRACTION (noun)
  The noun X-RAY DIFFRACTION has 1 sense:

1. the scattering of X rays by the atoms of a crystal; the diffraction pattern shows structure of the crystal

  Familiarity information: X-RAY DIFFRACTION used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• X-RAY DIFFRACTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The scattering of X rays by the atoms of a crystal; the diffraction pattern shows structure of the crystal

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural phenomena

Hypernyms ("X-ray diffraction" is a kind of...):

diffraction (when light passes sharp edges or goes through narrow slits the rays are deflected and produce fringes of light and dark bands)

 Context examples 

Analyzing data from an X-ray diffraction instrument on the rover that identifies minerals, scientists detected significant amounts of a silica mineral called tridymite.

(NASA Scientists Discover Unexpected Mineral on Mars, NASA)