0
This depends on their energy.
An alpha particle that comes from nuclear decay is usually only able to travel a short distance, a few centimeters, through air.
Alpha particles as cosmic rays, however, are much more energetic, and can penetrate quite deeply, even through many meters of solid shielding. These can penetrate the atmosphere.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoI'm answering this because you guys are wearing me out with "gamma radiation" questions. You know what "gamma radiation" is? It's radiation. So is light. So are X-Rays. How far does it travel in air? How far does light travel in air?
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoNot very far. Alpha particles can only travel an inch or so through air, so their ability to travel through a fluid would be much less. The reason for this is that the alpha particle is massive (4 AMU) and heavily charged (+2), so it interacts with everything.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoFor an alpha particle of average energy of 5.5 MeV, the distance is less than 50 microns.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoAn alpha particle of 4.0 MeV from Thorium-232 decay can travel 2.54 cm in air.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoAlpha particles from Thorium-232 decay with energies of 4.0 MeV can travel 2.54 cm.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoAlpha particles easily loose their energy easily when they hit other atoms. Because of this they can travel only about 2 centimeters in air.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago20 cm
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why do alpha particle have higher ionizaion energy than beta particle?
Alpha particles are far more massive. Alpha particle is an (ionized) helium atom, a beta particle is just an electron.
The nucleus of a helium atom is called?
The nucleus of a helium atom is called an alpha particle. The electromagnetic waves emitted by a nucleus are called gamma rays.
Is alpha wave or particle?
Alpha is a particle not a wave. Alpha particle are positively charged helium nuclei and have a +2 charge and 4u mass.
What are the characteristics of an alpha particle?
An alpha particle has the charge 2+ and the mass 4.
What is the electrical charge of an alpha particle?
The electric charge of an alpha particle is positive. An alpha particle is a helium nucleus (which being a nucleus has a positive charge)
How far can alpha particles from Thorium-232 travel in body fluids?
An alpha particle with energy of 4.0 MeV from Thorium-232 decay can travel less than 28 microns in body fluids.
Why do alpha particle have higher ionizaion energy than beta particle?
Alpha particles are far more massive. Alpha particle is an (ionized) helium atom, a beta particle is just an electron.
How far does alpha travel in air?
About 10cm.
How manyneutrons are in an alpha particle?
There are 2 neutron in an alpha particle.
Which has the largest mass alpha particle gamma ray positron or beta particle?
The alpha particle is much more massive than a beta particle. A beta particle is an electron, which has very little mass. An alpha particle is a helium nucleus, and consists of two protons and two neutrons.
Which of these masses is the largest alpha particle antineutrino gamma radiation beta particle?
Alpha Particle
The nucleus of a helium atom is called?
The nucleus of a helium atom is called an alpha particle. The electromagnetic waves emitted by a nucleus are called gamma rays.
Is alpha particle non fundamental?
Yes, the alpha particle is nonfundamental.
Is alpha wave or particle?
Alpha is a particle not a wave. Alpha particle are positively charged helium nuclei and have a +2 charge and 4u mass.
Are alpha particle negative or positive?
An alpha particle is a helium nucleus; it has a charge of +2.
Which alpha beta or gamma is the particle with the greatest penetrating depth?
Gamma, as it has the most energy by far.
What are the characteristics of an alpha particle?
An alpha particle has the charge 2+ and the mass 4.
