Question

Alpha particles.

what is the mass number?
what is the identity?

I don't understand what it means by identity??

Answer 1

mass number is the number on the periodic table idk what identity means though

Answer 2

in text book it says that the mass number of an alpha particle is 4. so I got that. I just don't get the second question.

would you happen to know what happens in the nucleus when an alpha particle is emitted?

I can't find it in my text book. I know for beta decay, a neutron decomposes into a proton and an electron and the proton stays trapped while the electron is released.

Answer 3

@JFraser can you help?

Answer 4

Allow me Taylor.

Answer 5

This is like this: an alpha particle is commonly said to be a helium nucleus, because it has 2 protons and 2 neutrons, giving a mass number of 4u. The u stands for a constand of mass of proton, to be 1.66*10^-27 kg.

Answer 6

so.. that's the identity? A helium nucleus? I thought that was just another name for an alpha particle @Hoslos

Answer 7

It is. Both identity and another name.
It is a type of radiation also.

Answer 8

ok. thank you so much

Answer 9

My pleasure.