What does alpha particle mean?
Definitions for alpha particle
al·pha par·ti·cle
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word alpha particle.
Princeton's WordNet
alpha particlenoun
a positively charged particle that is the nucleus of the helium atom; emitted from natural or radioactive isotopes
GCIDE
alpha particle
a particle emitted at high velocity from certain radioactive substances. It is identical to the helium nucleus, consisting of two protons and two neutrons. Rays of such particles are called alpha rays.
Wiktionary
alpha particlenoun
A positively charged nucleus of a helium-4 atom (consisting of two protons and two neutrons), emitted as a consequence of radioactivity; u03B1-particle
Wikipedia
Alpha particle
Alpha particles, also called alpha rays or alpha radiation, consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium-4 nucleus. They are generally produced in the process of alpha decay, but may also be produced in other ways. Alpha particles are named after the first letter in the Greek alphabet, α. The symbol for the alpha particle is α or α2+. Because they are identical to helium nuclei, they are also sometimes written as He2+ or 42He2+ 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 42He. Alpha particles have a net spin of zero. Due to the mechanism of their production 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. (See discussion below for the limits of these figures in alpha decay.) They are a highly ionizing form of particle radiation, and (when resulting from radioactive alpha decay) usually have low penetration depth (stopped by a few centimetres of air, or by the skin). However, so-called long range alpha particles from ternary fission are three times as energetic, and penetrate three times as far. The helium nuclei that form 10–12% of cosmic rays are also usually of much higher energy than those produced by nuclear decay processes, and thus may be highly penetrating and able to traverse the human body and also many metres of dense solid shielding, depending on their energy. To a lesser extent, this is also true of very high-energy helium nuclei produced by particle accelerators.
ChatGPT
alpha particle
An alpha particle is a positively charged particle that consists of two protons and two neutrons. It is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom. Alpha particles are emitted in the process of alpha decay, which is a type of radioactive decay.
Wikidata
Alpha particle
Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium nucleus. They are generally produced in the process of alpha decay, but may also be produced in other ways. Alpha particles are named after the first letter in the Greek alphabet, α. The symbol for the alpha particle is α or α2+. Because they are identical to helium nuclei, they are also sometimes written as He2+ or 4 2He2+ indicating a Helium ion with a +2 charge. If the ion gains electrons from its environment, the alpha particle can be written as a normal Helium atom 4 2He. The nomenclature is not well defined, and thus not all high-velocity helium nuclei are considered by all authors as alpha particles. As with beta and gamma rays/particles, the name used for the particle carries some mild connotations about its production process and energy, but these are not rigorously applied. Some science authors may use doubly ionized helium nuclei and alpha particles as interchangeable terms. Thus, alpha particles may be loosely used as a term when referring to stellar helium nuclei reactions, and even when they occur as components of cosmic rays. A higher energy version of alphas than produced in alpha decay is a common product of an uncommon nuclear fission result called ternary fission. However, helium nuclei produced by particle accelerators are less likely to be referred to as "alpha particles".
Matched Categories
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of alpha particle in Chaldean Numerology is: 9
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of alpha particle in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5
Translations for alpha particle
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"alpha particle." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/alpha+particle>.
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