Alpha Nuclear Radiation

This chapter discusses various aspects of alpha radiation which is made up of alpha particles.

Energia nuclear de fusion united states flag. During the process of nuclear decay the liberated energy decay energy is shared between the daughter nucleus and the alpha particle. Alpha particles also called alpha rays or alpha radiation consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium 4 nucleusthey are generally produced in the process of alpha decay but may also be produced in other waysalpha particles are named after the first letter in the greek alphabet athe symbol for the alpha particle is a or a 2. Especially energetic alpha particles except artificially accelerated helium nuclei are produced in.

An alpha particle is identical to the nucleus of a helium 4 atom which consists of two protons and two neutrons. Alpha particles are relatively large and carry a double positive charge. Alpha particles are commonly emitted by all of the heavy radioactive nuclei occuring in the nature uranium thorium or radium as well as the transuranic elements neptunium plutonium or americium.

An alpha particle structurally equivalent to the nucleus of a helium atom consists of two protons and two neutrons. Alpha radiation consist of alpha particles that are energetic nuclei of heliumthe production of alpha particles is termed alpha decay.