Helium nuclei in the context of "Alpha decay"

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⭐ Core Definition: Helium nuclei

Alpha particles, also called alpha rays or alpha radiation, consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to the nucleus of a helium-4 atom. They are generally produced in the process of alpha decay but may also be produced in different ways. Alpha particles are named after the first letter in the Greek alphabet, α. The symbol for the alpha particle is α or α. Because they are identical to helium nuclei, they are also sometimes written as He or
2He indicating a helium ion with a +2 charge (missing its two electrons). Once the ion gains electrons from its environment, the alpha particle becomes a normal (electrically neutral) helium atom
2He.

Alpha particles have a net spin of zero. When produced in standard alpha radioactive decay, alpha particles generally have a kinetic energy of about 5 MeV and a velocity in the vicinity of 4% of the speed of light. They are a highly ionizing form of particle radiation, with low penetration depth (stopped by a few centimetres of air, or by the skin).

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Helium nuclei in the context of Radiation

In physics, radiation is the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles through space or a material medium. This includes:

Radiation is often categorized as either ionizing or non-ionizing depending on the energy of the radiated particles. Ionizing radiation carries more than 10 electron volts (eV), which is enough to ionize atoms and molecules and break chemical bonds. This is an important distinction due to the large difference in harmfulness to living organisms. A common source of ionizing radiation is radioactive materials that emit α, β, or γ radiation, consisting of helium nuclei, electrons or positrons, and photons, respectively. Other sources include X-rays from medical radiography examinations and muons, mesons, positrons, neutrons and other particles that constitute the secondary cosmic rays that are produced after primary cosmic rays interact with Earth's atmosphere.

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LINKED FROM (PARENTS)
← Radiation ← Radiological
LINKS TO (CHILDREN)
Proton → Neutron → Particle → Atomic nucleus → Helium-4 → Alpha decay → Greek alphabet → Alpha → Ion → Electron → Radioactive decay → Kinetic energy → MeV → Velocity → Speed of light → Ionizing radiation → Particle radiation → Penetration depth → Air → Skin →