An alpha particle is identical to
Correct answer: A. a helium nucleus, two protons and two neutrons
- A. a helium nucleus, two protons and two neutrons
- B. a fast electron
- C. a photon
- D. a proton
Explanation
Alpha emission therefore reduces the mass number by 4 and the atomic number by 2, moving the element two places back in the periodic table. Being heavy and doubly charged, alpha particles ionise strongly but are stopped by a sheet of paper or a few centimetres of air. A fast electron is a beta particle.
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About Radioactive Decay
Radioactive decay is the spontaneous transformation of unstable nuclei, described by decay constant, activity, half life and the exponential decay law. Work includes alpha, beta and gamma emissions, decay equations and remaining nuclei, with half life distinguished from the time required for complete decay.
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