Alpha particle


a positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons, emitted in radioactive decay or nuclear fission; the nucleus of a helium atom.
Historical Examples

An alpha particle is the nucleus of a helium atom and is made up of two protons and two neutrons; it carries two positive charges.
LRL Accelerators Lawrence Radiation Laboratory

Mercury 203 plus an alpha particle gives nice, stable Lead 207.
The Bramble Bush Gordon Randall Garrett

Thus uranium in the sixth group loses an alpha particle and the product UX1 falls in the fourth group.
A Brief Account of Radio-activity Francis Preston Venable

Ionium expels an alpha particle and becomes radium, which is a bivalent element resembling barium belonging to the second group.
A Brief Account of Radio-activity Francis Preston Venable

This stopping power of an atom for an alpha particle is approximately proportional to the square root of its atomic weight.
A Brief Account of Radio-activity Francis Preston Venable

There can thus be no doubt that the alpha particle becomes a helium atom when its positive charge is neutralized.
A Brief Account of Radio-activity Francis Preston Venable

noun
a helium-4 nucleus, containing two neutrons and two protons, emitted during some radioactive transformations

alpha particle n.
A positively charged nuclear particle, indistinguishable from a helium atom nucleus and consisting of two protons and two neutrons.
alpha particle
A positively charged particle that consists of two protons and two neutrons bound together. It is emitted by an atomic nucleus undergoing radioactive decay and is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom. Because of their relatively large mass, alpha particles are the slowest and least penetrating forms of nuclear radiation. They can be stopped by a piece of paper. See more at radioactive decay.

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