In terms of electrical attraction, why is necessary to accelerate an alpha-particle in order to form it to combine with a nucleus of a large atom.

Question

aaronq · Answer

what charge do $\alpha$ particles have due to having 2 protons?

anonymous · Answer

Positive

anonymous · Answer

@aaronq

aaronq · Answer

and so the nucleus of an atom is also positive (b/c protons)... do like-charges like to be near each other?

anonymous · Answer

no

aaronq · Answer

so you need to make an alpha particle approach the nucleus fast enough to overcome the repulsion

anonymous · Answer

Can you explain to a ninth grader in easy terms please? :)

wolfe8 · Answer

You want to make 2 things that repel each other combine. So you'll have to ram one into the other.

wolfe8 · Answer

That is my attempt at using simpler terms.

anonymous · Answer

What are the two things?

aaronq · Answer

the positively charged $\alpha$ particle and the positively charged nucleus