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An alpha particle is a helium-4 nucleus. When it captures a pair of electrons, it becomes a helium-4 atom. Alpha particles released in nuclear decay events quickly pick up a pair of electrons from the environment and become those helium atoms, and the atom is said to be electrically neutral.

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What happens to the number of protons when U-238 emits an alpha particle?

When U-238 emits an alpha particle, it loses two protons. This results in the atom transforming into a different element (Th-234) which has two fewer protons in the nucleus.


What change in mass occurs when a radioactive atom emits an alpha particle?

4 from the alpha. Betas have negligible mass and gammas have no mass.


What happens to atomic number and atomic mass of an atom that emits alpha particle?

An alpha particle is a positively charged nuclear particle consisting of two protons bound to two neutrons. The atomic number of an atom decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by approximately 4 when an alpha particle is ejected.


What is lost from the nucleus of atom when it emits an alpha particle?

When an atom emits an alpha particle, it loses two protons and two neutrons from its nucleus. This results in a new element being formed with an atomic number that is two less than the original element.


What is the change in the atomic number when the atom emits an alpha particle?

The atomic number will decrease by 2, the number of protons in the emitted alpha particle. An alpha particle is a helium-4 nuclei with two protons and two neutrons.


What happens to the atom when an alpha particle is released by it?

When an alpha particle is released by an atom, the atom loses two protons and two neutrons, resulting in a different element being formed. This process is known as alpha decay.


What element does thorium become if it emits an alpha particle?

The nuclear reaction is: 232Th--------------- 228Ra + α


Over time what will happend to the nucleus of a radioactive atom If a radioactive atom emits an alpha particles them what is it emitting?

Alpha particle is the same as a helium-4 nucleus, i.e., two protons and two neutrons bound together. If an atom emits an alpha particle, it will have two protons less, and two neutrons less. Over time, there may be additional decay, which may further change the number of protons and neutrons.


Why doesn't alpha decay occur for hydrogen?

Alpha decay is a process where an atom emits an alpha particle, which is a helium nucleus consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Since a hydrogen atom only has one proton, it cannot undergo alpha decay as it lacks the necessary particle combination to release an alpha particle.


What element is formed when Ra emits an alpha particle?

When radium (Ra) emits an alpha particle, it transforms into radon (Rn). This process is also known as alpha decay, where an alpha particle is released from the nucleus of the radium atom, resulting in the formation of a new element.


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 an alpha particle is identical to the nucleus of a?

An alpha particle is identical to the nucleus of Helium atom