Alpha

It’s very important to know and understand what Alpha is. Alpha, basically is a particle, and we call it an Alpha particle or an alpha radiation or alpha rays. It contains two neutrons and two protons enclosed together in an atom, identical to a helium-4 nucleus. Generally, they are produced in the alpha decay process, but they may be produced in other ways also. Alpha particle name was made with the first letter in the Greek alphabet, α. It has two symbols. The first one is α, or we can write it as  2+ also. It’s because they are usually equivalent to the helium nucleus, which is also written as He2+. The alpha decay deflection will give a positive charge because particles have a charge (a +2e).

An Overview of Alpha

Denoting an ion (helium) with charge (2+) (two electrons are missing from it). If, once the electrons are gained by the ion from the environment of its own, the Alpha particle will be normal (electrically neutral) and once again form the element helium.

The alpha decay was distinguished by Ernest Rutherford from the radiation of different forms with the help of the study of the radiation deflection by the magnetic field.

It is mostly observed in radioactive elements like uranium, thorium, etc because they emit radiation in the form of alpha particles/alpha rays.

Alpha Decay Emission

Alpha Decay is the nuclear decay process where the alpha radiations (formed by the unbalanced alpha particles) are emitted. The particles are neutrons and protons. This emitted particle is known as an alpha particle.

The alpha decay deflection will give a positive charge because particles have a charge (2+).

Alpha decay or α-decay is a kind of radioactive decay where the atomic nucleus releases or discharges a particle alpha by decaying or transforming it into a new atomic nucleus, where the newly formed atomic number reduces by two and the newly formed atomic mass number reduces by four. The alpha particle that is emitted is also known as a helium nucleus. Usually, the alpha particle’s mass is large and has a positive charge due to a lack of electrons.

Alpha Decay Equation

Here we will see an equation for the Alpha Decay,

As we have seen above, in α-decay, the atomic mass number of the nucleus of the product (newly formed) gets reduced by four than the decayed nucleus (by which the new one formed), On the other side, the atomic number is reduced by two. Generally, We represent the alpha decay equation as follows:

     XZA YZ-2A-4 + He24

Where the parent nucleus can be represented as  XZA

Where the total number of protons can be represented as Z

Where the total number of the nucleus can be represented as  A

Where the newly formed, i.e. the daughter nucleus  can be represented as YZ-2A-4

Where the released Alpha particles are represented as He24

Alpha Decay Examples

Now, here we will see the examples of Alpha Decay. One of the most famous examples of Alpha decay is Uranium element decay.

Let’s learn and understand the example of Uranium decay.

 Uranium U92238 to Thorium Th90234  with the release or discharge of the helium He24

U92238 Th90234 +  He24

Here we can observe that uranium disintegrates into thorium and helium nuclei, where the atomic mass and atomic number decreases by four and two respectively.

Conclusion

Alpha decay discovered by Ernest Rutherford is a nuclear decaying process shown by unstable elements to increase stability. It does so by emitting out alpha particles, also called helium nuclei. In alpha decay, the atomic mass is reduced by four and atomic number is reduced by two. The emitted particle is equivalent to the helium nucleus. It can be observed in elements like uranium, thorium, etc. It decreases the energy, thereby decreasing the nature of the element and increasing the stability of the element.