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Alpha decay, also known as α -decay, is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus produces an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and therefore converts or ‘decays’ into a new atomic nucleus with decrease in mass number of four and an atomic number of two. The nucleus of a helium-4 atom, which consists of two protons and two neutrons, is identical to an alpha particle. It weighs 4 u and has a charge of +2 e. For example, uranium-238 decays to thorium-234.
The charge of alpha particles is +2 e, however because a nuclear equation depicts a nuclear reaction without taking the electrons into account a practice that does not imply that the nuclei must be found in neutral atoms the charge is rarely shown.
The heaviest nuclides are most likely to undergo alpha decay. It can theoretically only happen in nuclei somewhat heavier than nickel, where the overall binding energy per nucleon is no longer a maximum, making the nuclides unstable to spontaneous fission-type processes. This mode of decay has only been detected in nuclides far heavier than nickel, with the lightest known alpha emitters being the lightest tellurium isotopes (mass numbers 104–109).
Alpha Radioactive Decay Equation
What is an examples Of Alpha Decay
Alpha decay is a nuclear disintegration process that produces alpha particles. Uranium-238 is an example of a nucleus that undergoes alpha decay. The alpha decay of U-238 is as follows:
The uranium atom 23892U transmuted into a thorium atom 23490Th during this nuclear transformation, emitting an alpha particle in the process. Take a look at the alpha particle’s symbol 42He
The number of protons is the lowest number of a nuclear symbol. That indicates the alpha particle contains two protons that the uranium atom has lost. The two protons carry a +2 charge as well. The top number, 4, represents the particle’s mass, or the total amount of protons and neutrons. Alpha particles must have two neutrons because they have two protons and a total of four protons and neutrons. The makeup of alpha particles is always the same: two protons and two neutrons.
Conclusion
A nuclear reaction is one that alters the structure of an atom’s nucleus. In a nuclear equation, the atomic and mass numbers must be equal. Quarks are the building blocks of protons and neutrons. Alpha and beta decay are the two most common modes of natural radioactivity. Gamma rays are emitted by the majority of nuclear processes.
Alpha decay is a type of radioactive disintegration in which some unstable atomic nuclei spontaneously release an alpha particle to dissipate excess energy. Because alpha particles have two positive charges and a mass of four units, they form offspring nuclei with a positive nuclear charge or atomic number two units lower and a mass four units lower than their parents. The most common type of cluster decay is alpha decay, in which the parent atom ejects a defined daughter collection of nucleons and leaves another determined product behind. Because of the extraordinarily high nuclear binding energy and the alpha particle’s comparatively modest mass, it is the most common form. Alpha decay, like other cluster decays, is essentially a quantum tunnelling phenomenon. It is governed by the interaction of both the strong nuclear force and the electromagnetic force, unlike beta decay.
