answersLogoWhite

0

An element undergoing radioactive decay could expel an alpha particle from its nucleus. An alpha particle is made up of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. This could make it more stable by changing the ratio of protons to neutrons in its nucleus. Generally speaking, if the ratio of protons to neutrons is greater than 1:2.5, the nucleus is unstable, and you're probably dealing with a radionuclide.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

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.


Where could one locate Alpha particles?

Alpha particles are most commonly found when alpha decay occurs. An alpha particle is emitted during alpha decay. Further information about alpha particles can be found on the Wikipedia website.


What are the main particles found in the nuclei of all elements?

i would say protons,nuetrons, and electrons


How does it go from beta to alpha particles?

It's not possible to change beta particles to alpha particles or vice versa; they're two very different things produced by different processes. Beta particles can be either electrons or they can be positrons, which are anti-electrons. Alpha particles are helium-4 nuclei, which are composed of a pair of protons and a pair of neutrons. Beta particles are produced in beta decay (one in each type), and alpha particles are produced in alpha decay. Both of these types of nuclear decay release particulate radiation. Links can be found below to check things out.


Why is helium mixed with radioactive minerals?

Helium is produced as a byproduct of radioactive decay in minerals like uranium and thorium. These minerals contain alpha particles, which are essentially helium nuclei. As these alpha particles are emitted during decay, they capture electrons from their surroundings to become helium atoms. This is why helium is often found mixed with radioactive minerals.


One of the kinds of particles found in the nucleus of an atom is the?

There are two particles found in the nuclei of atoms, Protons and Neutrons.


How are elements artificially transmuted?

Scientists can bombard atomic nuclei with high-energy particles such as protons, neutrons, or alpha particles. Scientists synthesize a transuranium element by the artificial transmutation of a lighter element. ... It involves nuclear change, not chemical change. NOTE nuclear decay is a transmutation that happens naturally


Why is alpha decay generally found occurring in atoms with large nuclei while beta decay is usually associated with much lighter nuclei?

I believe it has to do with fusion and fission, as all radioactive isotopes want to be as stable as possible.


Which subatomic particles are always found in the nuclei of atoms?

protons and neutrons (note: only 1H1 isotope doesn't have neutrons)


Is alpha particle found inside the nucleus?

No, although some theories suggest that there is a tendency of protons and neutrons in massive nuclei to temporarily group into alpha particle like clusters. Such clustering predicts differences in stability between different isotopes.


Is alpha radiation uncharged?

No, alpha particles are not uncharged. An alpha particle is actually a helium-4 nucleus, and that means it's composed of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. It will have an overall charge of +2, and we often write the alpha particle as He++ or He2+. The related question on what an alpha particle is can be found below. Check it out.


How fast are alpha particles in water?

The "speed" of an alpha particle will be determined by what it is that generates that alpha particle. That's another way of saying that alpha particles, which are helium-4 nuclei, come in different energies. You will recall that they are generated in alpha decay, which is a form of radioactive decay. As to how "fast" they are in water, all we can state is an initial energy, and then do some calculations to determine how far they might go. As a sheet of notebook paper will stop an alpha particle, it will not travel very far in water. Small fractions of an inch is all we could expect for the distance they'd be able to go. Heck, they'd be bumping into water molecules right from the gate, and losing energy with each collision (which is called a scattering event). Links to related questions can be found below.