drip line

See also: dripline

English

Noun

drip line (plural drip lines)

1. (nuclear physics) On the table of nuclides, the limit beyond which an atomic nucleus will immediately decay by emitting a proton or neutron.

   Hydrogen-7 has so many excess neutrons that it lies beyond the neutron drip line, and will spit out neutrons until it becomes a particle-bound isotope.

2. The area defined by the outermost circumference of a tree canopy from where water drips onto the ground.
   • 2010, instructions on bottle of Ortho Weed B Gon Max

     Be particularly careful applying within the drip line of trees and other ornamental species.

3. A pipe that has small holes at intervals, used to irrigate crops.

References

• Wikipedia disambiguation page Drip line accessed 15 Jun 2010