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An Alpha particle is composed of two protons and two neutrons, so simplisticly it is heavier than one neutron by the mass of two protons and one neutron. A proton weighs in at 1.672621777(74)×10−27 kg and a neutron a bit more at

1.674927351(74)×10−27 so you can do the maths if u want to see the actual figure.

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Is the alpha particle mass smaller than a neutron?

Alpha particles (helium nuclei) are much larger and heavier than beta (electrons) and gamma (high-energy photons). This means they do far more damage to anything they hit. However, it also means can't travel very far and can be stopped by as little as a sheet of paper. Radioactive isotopes that emit only alpha radiation are not very dangerous, the only danger is breathing in or ingesting the isotope.


Is an alpha particle lighter than an electron?

No, an alpha particle is not identical to an electron. An alpha particle is a helium-4 nucleus, and it's composed of a pair of protons and a pair of neutrons fused together. It several thousand times the mass of an electron, and has twice its charge with an opposite sign (+2). An electron is that little negatively charged (-1) elementary particle that we find whizzing around atoms. You'll find a pair of related questions linked below.


Does an alpha particle and beta particle has the same speed in a magnetic field?

Alpha particles with the same energy as beta particles have much less speed, magnetic field or no.


Does a beta particle have a zero charge?

The particle that carries the positive charge (a proton) is much more massive than the particle that carries the negative charge (an electron) The charges are equal in magnitude though of opposite polarity.


How much force can an alpha particle exert?

This depends on the velocity, or temperature, of the alpha particle. The faster the particle goes, the higher its temperature, and the more energetic it is. When we are dealing with atoms and subatomic particles, temperature and velocity are pretty much measurements of the same thing. Most alpha particles emitted from large radioactive atoms have energies in the range of 3 to 7 MeV (million electron volts). Alpha particles from the decay of the heavier, man-made atoms can be more energetic yet. 5 MeV would mean that the particle is going about 15,000 km/s, or about 5% of the speed of light. At that speed, the alpha particle can be absorbed by a piece of thin paper. They are not horribly dangerous, if the particles are outside you. But if they are emitted from something inside you, they can be very destructive because they can alter living cells. It should be noted that an alpha particle is essentially the same thing as a Helium-4 nucleus. The difference is that the alpha particle came from nuclear decay, and is moving.

Related Questions

Is the alpha particle mass smaller than a neutron?

Alpha particles (helium nuclei) are much larger and heavier than beta (electrons) and gamma (high-energy photons). This means they do far more damage to anything they hit. However, it also means can't travel very far and can be stopped by as little as a sheet of paper. Radioactive isotopes that emit only alpha radiation are not very dangerous, the only danger is breathing in or ingesting the isotope.


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.


Is an alpha particle lighter than an electron?

No, an alpha particle is not identical to an electron. An alpha particle is a helium-4 nucleus, and it's composed of a pair of protons and a pair of neutrons fused together. It several thousand times the mass of an electron, and has twice its charge with an opposite sign (+2). An electron is that little negatively charged (-1) elementary particle that we find whizzing around atoms. You'll find a pair of related questions linked below.


How do the mass and size of an alpha particle compare with mass and size of beta particle?

The mass and size of an alpha particle compare with the masa and size of beta particle in the sense that the alpha particle is significantly larger in both size and mass that the beta and gamma particles. This is why it is called the alpha particle.


Which subatomic particle is nearly equal to the masses of the other two subatomic particles added together?

The neutron has a mass that is nearly equal to the combined mass of a proton and an electron. This is due to the fact that the neutron is slightly heavier than the proton, while the electron has a much smaller mass.


Which particle is the lightest particale in the following 1. electon 2. neutron 3. proton 4. a-particles?

The electron is the lightest particle in the list. A proton is 1836 times more massive than an electron. Neutrons are just slightly more massive than a proton, and an alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons.


Does an alpha particle and beta particle has the same speed in a magnetic field?

Alpha particles with the same energy as beta particles have much less speed, magnetic field or no.


Does a beta particle have a zero charge?

The particle that carries the positive charge (a proton) is much more massive than the particle that carries the negative charge (an electron) The charges are equal in magnitude though of opposite polarity.


How much force can an alpha particle exert?

This depends on the velocity, or temperature, of the alpha particle. The faster the particle goes, the higher its temperature, and the more energetic it is. When we are dealing with atoms and subatomic particles, temperature and velocity are pretty much measurements of the same thing. Most alpha particles emitted from large radioactive atoms have energies in the range of 3 to 7 MeV (million electron volts). Alpha particles from the decay of the heavier, man-made atoms can be more energetic yet. 5 MeV would mean that the particle is going about 15,000 km/s, or about 5% of the speed of light. At that speed, the alpha particle can be absorbed by a piece of thin paper. They are not horribly dangerous, if the particles are outside you. But if they are emitted from something inside you, they can be very destructive because they can alter living cells. It should be noted that an alpha particle is essentially the same thing as a Helium-4 nucleus. The difference is that the alpha particle came from nuclear decay, and is moving.


Is the electorn the biggest part of an atom?

The electron is actually the smallest particle. The neutron is the largest particle, followed closely by the proton. The electron is much, much smaller.


Why do you think some smaller planet are heavier than the bigger ones?

They are much denser. it's the same with stars and neutron stars. Neutron stars are many times smaller than the original star but much heavier because they are so denser


Does a neutron weigh as much as a proton?

No, a neutron is slightly more massive than a proton. Both particles have roughly the same mass, but due to the different composition of their internal quarks, the neutron is slightly heavier.