Understanding Alpha Rays

Alpha particles are also known as alpha radiations and alpha rays. The composition of alpha particles is similar to the composition of the helium-4 nucleus. The composition of alpha particles consists of a systematic arrangement of two neutrons and two protons. The study of alpha particles comes under Bosonic statistics. Alpha particles are considered highly active particles. The kinetic energy of alpha particles is also very high. These particles are highly reactive, as they have a positive charge. That’s why they give ions to other elements and become neutral. In a neutral state, the alpha particles become helium atoms. 

Alpha particles 

The symbolic representation of alpha particles is α. In the ionic state, they are written as α2+. The composition of neutrons and protons in alpha particles is similar to helium. Due to this, they are sometimes written as He2+. The net spin of alpha particles is zero. 

The alpha particles are produced by alpha decay, the radioactive process. So, the radioactivity of these particles is also very high. In the ionised state, the kinetic energy of alpha particles is  5 MeV. The velocity of alpha particles is equal to the 4% velocity of light. Because of their high ionising power, these particles are radioactive, due to which their penetration depth is very low. They can not penetrate deeply to any surface. Instead of penetrating any surface, they react with it and make it radioactive by imparting radioactive energy. 

Charge of an alpha particle

Let’s learn about the charge of an alpha particle. 

The alpha particles are radioactive. Hence they have a positive charge. It means they have a deficiency of electrons, and they need 2 electrons to become neutral. Whenever any negatively charged particles come in the vicinity of alpha particles, they combine and become neutral. In a neutral state, they act similar to neutral helium. 

Mass of alpha particle

Let’s learn about the mass of the alpha particle. 

The alpha particles contain two neutrons and two protons. So, the mass of an alpha particle is 6.644657230(82)×10−27 kg. In other units, the mass of an alpha particle is 4.001506179127(63) u and 3.727379378(23) GeV/c2. 

Sources of production of alpha particles 

There are various methods of production of alpha particles. But, alpha decay is the widely used and most reliable method of producing alpha particles. In alpha decay, the heavier elements are broken into smaller elements. This process results in the emission of alpha particles. In this procedure, the mass number of atoms of an element decreases to four because they emit four alpha nucleons. Hence, the atomic number of elements decreases up to 2, resulting in the formation of new elements. An example of such alpha decay is the breaking of uranium, resulting in the formation of thorium and radium, resulting in the formation of radon.

All elements do the emission of alpha particles with heavy radioactive nuclei. For instance, radium, actinium, uranium and thorium. However, small nuclei elements are also capable of alpha particle emission. Examples of such small nuclei elements are tellurium and beryllium-8. In some cases of alpha decay, the elements remain active even after the emission of alpha particles, which results in the emission of gamma rays. 

Along with alpha decay, many other methods result in the formation of alpha particles. These are:

• Ternary fission
• Solar core reactions
• Production of cosmic rays 
• High acceleration in Accelerators like synchrotrons and cyclotrons. 

Applications of alpha particles 

Let’s learn about the applications of alpha particles. 

• Smoke detectors: The alpha particles are widely used in smoke detectors. In these detectors, the alpha particles ionise the surrounding air. Due to the presence of ions, a small current generates, and this current activates the alarm system. Americium-241 alpha emitter used in smoke detectors. 
• Radioisotope thermoelectric generators: Alpha particles work as a powerhouse in radioisotope thermoelectric generators. They are used for artificial heart pacemakers and space probes in these generators. 
• Static eliminators: alpha particles ionise the air in static eliminators. It results in the formation of static cling, which allows the air to dissipate at faster rates. 
• In biology, alpha particles are used to treat cancer. 

Conclusion 

Alpha particles are widely used in various fields due to their highly radioactive nature. These particles produce all types of reactions that contain the breaking of heavy elements into smaller elements. However, some small nuclei elements also produce alpha particles, but only when they match some specific properties of heavy atoms. Alpha particles produced from different atoms have different compositions. For instance, two types of radium atoms produce alpha radiation, Radium-223 and Radium-224. Along with cancer treatment, alpha particles are used as antibodies. Scientists are currently working on the damaging nature of alpha particles for curing cancers.