alpha particle
Radioactive emission type
An alpha particle is a positively charged particle emitted during radioactive decay, consisting of two protons and two neutrons—essentially a helium nucleus without electrons.
Alpha particles are relatively heavy and slow-moving compared to other forms of radiation, which means they can be stopped by a sheet of paper or human skin but cause significant damage if inhaled or ingested.
The smoke detector uses americium-241, which emits alpha particles.
Combustion particle sensor
- radiotherapyMedical radiation for cancer
- nuclear batteryDecay-heat electricity generator
- targeted therapyTreatment hitting specific molecules
Complete change of form
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- thoriumActinide, atomic number ninety
- radiumRadioactive alkaline earth metal
polonium · radon · actinides · disintegration · radioisotope
Proton or neutron
- positive chargeExcess of protons
- atomic mass unitUnit for particle weight
- baryonThree-quark composite particle
Protecting from harm
- skin exposureUncovered flesh showing
- radon gasRadioactive element, airborne indoors
- dosimetryRadiation absorption measurement
- tissue damageHarm to body cells
Forceful contact between objects
- cyclotronSpiral-path particle accelerator
- energy lossPower that escapes unused
- stopping powerCapacity to halt motion
- rangeExtent of variation
tunneling · quantum mechanics · nuclear reaction · cross section
smoke detector
Combustion particle sensor
- radiotherapyMedical radiation for cancer
- nuclear batteryDecay-heat electricity generator
- targeted therapyTreatment hitting specific molecules
transmutation
Complete change of form
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- thoriumActinide, atomic number ninety
radium · polonium · radon · actinides · disintegration · radioisotope
nucleon
Proton or neutron
- positive chargeExcess of protons
- atomic mass unitUnit for particle weight
- baryonThree-quark composite particle
shielding
Protecting from harm
- skin exposureUncovered flesh showing
- radon gasRadioactive element, airborne indoors
- dosimetryRadiation absorption measurement
collision
Forceful contact between objects
- cyclotronSpiral-path particle accelerator
- energy lossPower that escapes unused
- stopping powerCapacity to halt motion
range · tunneling · quantum mechanics · nuclear reaction · cross section
- atomic physicsatom, atoms, atomic nucleus, electron, atomic number
- Nuclearnuclear reactor, atomic bomb, nuclear energy, atomic bombs, uranium
- charged particlesion, cation, anion, proton, electron
- particleselectrons, electron, protons, proton, neutrons
- nuclear physicsnuclear energy, fission, nuclear fission, neutron, proton
- cosmic rayscosmic rays, solar rays, proton, protons, electron
alpha particlegamma ray
High-energy nuclear emission
gamma radiation · beta particle · X-ray · electron · beta radiation
radiation, particle, alpha, particles, radioactive, radioactivity, alphas, alpha particles