radioactivity: Alpha Radiation

Alpha rays have the least penetrating power, move at a slower velocity than the other types, and are deflected slightly by a magnetic field in a direction that indicates a positive charge. Alpha rays are nuclei of ordinary helium atoms (see alpha particle). Alpha decay reduces the atomic weight, or mass number, of a nucleus, while beta and gamma decay leave the mass number unchanged. Thus, the net effect of alpha radioactivity is to produce nuclei lighter than those of the original radioactive substance. For example, in the disintegration, or decay, of uranium-238 by the emission of alpha particles, radioactive thorium (formerly called ionium) is produced. The alpha decay reduces the atomic number of the nucleus by 2 and the mass number by 4: CE5

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Discovery of Radioactivity
• Radioactive Disintegration Series
• Half-Life of an Element
• Radioactive Decay
• Gamma Radiation
• Beta Radiation
• Alpha Radiation
• Radioactive Emissions
• Bibliography

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