alpha decay
Helium nucleus ejection
Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle—two protons and two neutrons bound together, identical to a helium-4 nucleus.
The process transforms the original element into one with an atomic number lower by two: Uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay to become thorium-234.
Alpha particles are relatively heavy and slow, easily stopped by skin or paper but dangerous if inhaled or ingested.
Period for fifty-percent reduction
- transmutationComplete change of form
- uranium-238Predominant uranium isotope
- actinidesRadioactive metallic element series
- transuranicHeavier than element 92
atomic number · mass number · tunneling · disintegration · spontaneous · activity · curie
Producing charged particles
- penetrationEntry into something
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- skin exposureUncovered flesh showing
- radon gasRadioactive element, airborne indoors
Age measurement via atomic decay
- smoke detectorsDevices sensing airborne combustion particles
- nuclear batteryDecay-heat electricity generator
- Curiosity roverMars surface exploration vehicle
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
Ionizing radiation detector
- scintillationRapid light variation
- cloud chamberRadiation visualization apparatus
- energy spectrumIntensity versus wavelength plot
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
half-life
Period for fifty-percent reduction
- transmutationComplete change of form
- uranium-238Predominant uranium isotope
- actinidesRadioactive metallic element series
transuranic · atomic number · mass number · tunneling · disintegration · spontaneous · activity · curie
ionizing
Producing charged particles
- penetrationEntry into something
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- skin exposureUncovered flesh showing
radiometric dating
Age measurement via atomic decay
- smoke detectorsDevices sensing airborne combustion particles
- nuclear batteryDecay-heat electricity generator
- Curiosity roverMars surface exploration vehicle
Geiger counter
Ionizing radiation detector
- scintillationRapid light variation
- cloud chamberRadiation visualization apparatus
- energy spectrumIntensity versus wavelength plot
- decayrot, wilt, crumble, decomposition, fade
- nuclear physicsnuclear energy, fission, nuclear fission, neutron, proton
- particle physicsquark, quarks, lepton, leptons, boson
- radioactive decayhalf-life, disintegration, transmutation, specific activity, activity
- breaking downsplitting, fragmenting, dividing, breaking up, partitioning
- element propertiesatomic number, atomic mass, atomic weight, symbol, electronegativity
decay, decayed, decaying, alpha, alphas, radioactive decay, alpha particles, alpha particle