answersLogoWhite

0

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.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Physics

What are the characteristics of alpha rays?

Alpha rays are positively charged particles emitted by certain radioactive materials. They consist of two protons and two neutrons, equivalent to a helium nucleus. Alpha rays have a low penetrating power and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or human skin.


What four basic types of ionizing radiation are?

The four basic types of ionizing radiation are alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and X-rays. Alpha particles are composed of two protons and two neutrons. Beta particles are electrons or positrons. Gamma rays and X-rays are electromagnetic radiation.


What is an Alpha ray?

An alpha ray is a type of radioactive decay product that consists of two protons and two neutrons, which is essentially a helium nucleus. Alpha rays have low penetration power and can be stopped by a piece of paper or human skin.


Do alpha rays have higher energy than gamma rays?

* There are no alpha rays. You are thinking of alpha particles; one of these is the nucleus of a helium atom composed of two protons and two neutrons. The energy of an alpha particle depends entirely on how fast it is travelling. * Gamma radiation is high energy electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic spectrum goes (starting at the low energy end) * radio waves * microwaves * infrared * light * ultraviolet * "soft" x-rays * "hard" x-rays * gamma rays. The difference in energy between alpha particles and gamma photons depends on how each are produced; if they are occurring naturally gammas tend to have higher energy than alphas. However, alphas coming out of a large particle accelerator have very high energies, and only a few gammas coming in from space can beat them.


What are names for radiation?

Alpha Beta Gamma X-rays Ultraviolet Infrared to name the most common types...

Related Questions

What were the rays emanating from uranium?

* Alpha rays (particles) * Beta rays * Gamma rays * Spontaneous fission neutrons


What are the harmful rays radiated from uranium?

Principally alpha particles, but also gamma rays, neutrons from the spontaneous fission, etc.


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 one of the waves of the electromagnetic spectrum. Alpha rays are actually streams of alpha particles, which are clusters of two protons and two neutrons emitted by certain types of radioactive materials.


What is the harmful radiation released by nuclear wastes?

There are various kinds of harmful ionizing radiation. These include alpha, beta, and gamma rays; free neutrons; X-rays; and ultraviolet light. Depending on the specifics of the waste, nuclear waste can emit alpha, beta, and gamma rays, and neutrons.


Does uranium give of invisible rays?

Yes, uranium isotopes emit alpha particles, gamma rays, beta rays, spontaneous fission neutrons.


What are the characteristics of alpha rays?

Alpha rays are positively charged particles emitted by certain radioactive materials. They consist of two protons and two neutrons, equivalent to a helium nucleus. Alpha rays have a low penetrating power and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or human skin.


Why alpha rays called helium nuclei?

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.


What is the difference between Alpha rays and beta rays?

Alpha rays are helium nuclei, two protons and two neutrons, an atomic mass number of 4, and a charge of +2. Beta rays are electrons or, in some cases, positrons, an atomic mass number of 1 / 1854, and a charge of -1, or +1 for the positron.


What kind of rays does uranium 235 and plutonium 239 release?

Uranium-235 and plutonium-239 release alpha, beta, and gamma rays during the process of radioactive decay. Alpha particles are helium nuclei, beta particles are high-energy electrons or positrons, and gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation.


Do alpha particle same group with gamma ray?

Alpha particles are in the same group with gamma rays. Gamma rays helps remove all of the excise energy in a nucleus. Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons that are bound together.


What radiation is released in the first 60 seconds after the detonation?

Light, thermal, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, beta. Later the fallout will release alpha, beta, and gamma rays.


What four basic types of ionizing radiation are?

The four basic types of ionizing radiation are alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and X-rays. Alpha particles are composed of two protons and two neutrons. Beta particles are electrons or positrons. Gamma rays and X-rays are electromagnetic radiation.