Alpha decay Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less.
For example:
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although this is usually written as:
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Note that an
alpha particle is a
helium nucleus, and that both mass number and atomic number are conserved.
Alpha decay can essentially be thought of as
nuclear fission where the parent nucleus splits into two daughter nuclei. Alpha decay is fundamentally a
quantum tunneling process. In some radioactive substances when
beta decay occurs along with alpha decay, atomic
helium is formed.
This is an Article on Alpha decay. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Alpha decay
