An alpha particle is identical to the nucleus of a(n) _____.
hydrogen atom
helium atom
carbon atom
uranium atom
Answer;
-Helium atom
Explanation;
-An alpha particle is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom.
-Alpha particle is one type of particles emitted during a radioactive decay, others being gamma and beta particles. Alpha particles are produced during the process of alpha decay.
-When an alpha particle is generated during a radioactive decay, the mass number of the radioactive particle increases by 2 while the atomic number increases by 4.
Answer: Option (b) is the correct answer.
Explanation:
A nuclear particle which is positively charged is known as an alpha particle. An alpha particle is emitted during a radioactive decay.
Mass of an alpha particle is similar to mass of a helium atom, that is why, a helium atom is also known as an alpha particle.
Therefore, an alpha particle is denoted as \(^{4}_{2}He\). That is, there are 2 protons and 2 neutrons in an alpha particle.
Thus, we can conclude that an alpha particle is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom.