826 304 5e8 23d a51 8c8 9f4 85b 904 64c 494 9e3 3a1 428 316 f86 caa 8f0 0ca 18c 045 e1e 034 cbb 5c2 bc4 d06 5cb 733 935 70f a69 016 09c 949 e9a f34 a6e 884 e44 e9f 0b7 182 659 9bc 1e6 1e9 ede 569 e15 d59 04e fb8 141 401 00d a8f aa4 3d4 88c f59 5e2 c52 be3 342 1fd 8a4 882 59d 7dc dc1 be4 5ec 567 821 971 c48 5ad 0af f64 26f 679 34b 3a6 ab6 36a 230 68c c7f 464 7fd 0af d64 19d 8f0 ea1 e12 0ba 295 f5e

Alpha radiation occurs when the nucleus of an atom becomes unstable (the ratio of neutrons to protons is too low) and alpha particles are emitted to restore balance. Alpha decay occurs in elements with high atomic numbers, such as uranium, radium, and thorium.

What nucleus emits an alpha particle?

helium nucleus Alpha decay or α-decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and thereby transforms or 'decays' into a different atomic nucleus, with a mass number that is reduced by four and an atomic number that is reduced by two.

What can emit alpha particles?

Alpha particles are charged particles, which are emitted from naturally occurring materials (such as uranium, thorium, and radium) and man-made elements (such as plutonium and americium). These alpha emitters are primarily used (in very small amounts) in items such as smoke detectors.

Why heavy nuclei are alpha radioactive?

1 Alpha Decay. In heavy nuclei, the Coulomb energy of proton repulsion becomes very significant and this makes the nuclei unstable. It turns out that it is energetically more profitable for a nucleus to throw out a stable system of four particles, i.e., an alpha particle, than individual nucleons.

How alpha particles are produced?

An alpha particle is produced by the alpha decay of a radioactive nucleus. Because the nucleus is unstable a piece of it is ejected, allowing the nucleus to reach a more stable state.

Where does alpha radiation come from?

Alpha particles (α) are positively charged and made up of two protons and two neutrons from the atom's nucleus. Alpha particles come from the decay of the heaviest radioactive elements, such as uranium, radium and polonium.

Where do alpha particles come from?

Alpha particles (α) are positively charged and made up of two protons and two neutrons from the atom's nucleus. Alpha particles come from the decay of the heaviest radioactive elements, such as uranium, radium and polonium.

Why do large nuclei tend to be radioactive?

In a small nucleus every particle interacts with each other with a strong force. In a large nucleus some particles are too far away from each other to be attracted by a strong force. Why do large nuclei tend to be radioactive? The strong force is weaker so the electrical force can overcome it easier.

When a nucleus emits an alpha particle does it lose?

Alpha particles are made of 2 protons with 2 neutrons. This means that when a nucleus emits an alpha particle, it loses 2 protons and so its atomic number decreases by 2.

How alpha beta and gamma rays are produced?

During radioactivity, particles like alpha, beta & gamma rays are emitted by an atom, due to unstable atom trying to gain stability. Hence, the atoms eventually decay by emitting a particle that transforms when they are unstable and transforms the nucleus into a lower energy state.