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Alpha particles consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons bound together, which is identical to a helium-4 nucleus.

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12y ago
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6mo ago

Alpha rays are called helium nuclei because they consist of two protons and two neutrons, which is the same composition as a helium nucleus. When an atom undergoes alpha decay, it emits an alpha particle, which is essentially a helium nucleus that is ejected from the atom.

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Q: Why alpha rays called helium nuclei?
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What are the differences between X-rays and alpha rays?

X-rays are a form of electro-magnetic radiation. Alpha "rays" consist of helium nuclei expelled from large nuclei during a process called (no surprise) alpha decay.


What are the particles called from a nuclear decay?

These are known as alpha, beta, and gamma rays. Alpha rays are helium-4 nuclei, beta rays can be electrons or positrons, gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic waves.These are known as alpha, beta, and gamma rays. Alpha rays are helium-4 nuclei, beta rays can be electrons or positrons, gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic waves.These are known as alpha, beta, and gamma rays. Alpha rays are helium-4 nuclei, beta rays can be electrons or positrons, gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic waves.These are known as alpha, beta, and gamma rays. Alpha rays are helium-4 nuclei, beta rays can be electrons or positrons, gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic waves.


Differentiate gamma rays from alpha particles?

Gamma rays are very high energy Photons. Whereas, alpha particles are Helium nuclei.


Which is not one of the waves of the electromagnetic spectrum - UV rays or Alpha rays or Visible light or Infrared rays?

Alpha rays are not part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Alpha particles are the same as helium nuclei, and are given off in nuclear decay.


What is an Alpha ray?

I suspect you mean alpha ray as in alpha radiation. In which case an alpha ray consists of helium nuclei. The most common source of such rays is radioactive decay.


Are alpha rays neutrons?

Alpha particles are helium nuclei -- each particle is composed of two protons and two neutrons. A stream of alpha particles may be called a ray, although as it is not electromagnetic radiation that is probably inaccurate.


Are alpha rays charged?

Yes. Alpha rays are streams of alpha particles (helium nuclei), each of which carries 2 times the charge of a proton. In S.I. units the alpha particle's charge is +3.2 x 10-19 Coulombs, to two significant figures.


What is the difference between alpha beta gamma rays?

Alpha rays are helium nuclei (two protons + two neutrons) and have a charge of +2; beta rays are either electrons or anti-electrons (positrons), with a charge of -1 or +1; gamma rays are high-energy light rays (photons).


Are x-rays alpha wave?

Alpha wave has nothing to do with X-rays, or with physics. They are a classification of "brain waves" as seen on EEGs; in the 7-13 Hz region they are only seen when the eyes of the subject are closed. Alpha particles are in the domain of physics; not waves or rays, but the nuclei of helium atoms.


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.


What types of radiation particles have no weight?

Gamma rays are the only ones. Alpha particles are helium nuclei, and Beta particles are electrons or positrons, all of these have mass.


Does alpha rays contains only a positive charge of atom?

Alpha rays are helium ions, He2+.