alpha particles are nuclei of what
Alpha decay. Alpha decay or α-decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and thereby transforms or 'decays' into an atom with a mass number that is reduced by four and an atomic number that is reduced by two. Alpha particles, like helium nuclei, have a net spin of zero. Due to the mechanism of their production in standard alpha radioactive decay, alpha particles generally have a kinetic energy of about 5 MeV, and a velocity in the vicinity of 5% the speed of light. Alpha Particle. a positively charged particle emitted by certain radioactive nuclei, made up of two protrons and two neutrons; a helium nucleus. Chain Reaction. a series of fussion reactions triggered by neutrons released during the fussin of a nucleus. Alpha Particle. 1  a positively charged particle emitted by certain radioactive nuclei, made up of two protrons and two neutrons; a helium nucleus. 2  a series of fussion reactions triggered by neutrons released during the fussin of a nucleus. 3  a nucleus reaction in which the nuclei of two atoms combine to form a large nucleus. Page 3. Alpha Particles. Alpha decay is a radioactive process in which a particle with two neutrons and two protons is ejected from the nucleus of a radioactive atom. The particle is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom. Alpha decay only occurs in very heavy elements such as uranium, thorium and radium. The nuclei of these atoms are very “neutron rich” (i.e. have a lot more neutrons in their nucleus than they do protons) which makes emission of the alpha particle possible. c. both (a) and (b) You prepare a large screened-in box, inside which you place several dozen mouse traps. You set each trap and on each mouse trap you place a ping pong ball. You then drop another ping pong ball into the box, which sets off one of the mouse traps, which sets off other mouse traps, and so on. You have just demonstrated. a. Alpha particle. Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium nucleus. They are generally produced in the process of alpha decay, but may also be produced in other ways. Details about the experiment and how to operate the tutorial are provided beneath the applet window. The tutorial simulates diffraction of alpha particles (helium nuclei containing two positive charges) by a thin foil made of gold metal. Opposite the gold foil is a zinc sulfide screen that emits a flash of light when struck by an alpha particle. Nuclear reaction. Nuclear reaction, change in the identity or characteristics of an atomic nucleus, induced by bombarding it with an energetic particle. The bombarding particle may be an alpha particle, a gamma-ray photon, a neutron, a proton, or a heavy ion. In any case, the bombarding particle must have enough energy to approach the positively charged nucleus to within range of the strong nuclear force. Alpha decay. Visual representation of alpha decay. Alpha decay or α-decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and thereby transforms or 'decays' into an atom with a mass number that is reduced by four and an atomic number that is reduced by two.
Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium nucleus.