The path of alpha particle is_______________?
Correct answer: C. Zig-zag or erratic
- A. Rectilinear
- B. Curved
- C. Zig-zag or erratic
- D. Elliptical
Explanation
An alpha particle moving through matter repeatedly collides with atoms and is deflected, producing a short, zig-zag or erratic track rather than a perfectly straight path. Its large mass makes the deflections small, but many collisions make the overall path irregular. The likely trap is option a, which would apply only approximately in a vacuum or over a very short collision-free distance.
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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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