Alpha particles are ________.

The correct answer is just like helium nuclei.

Key Points

• Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium nucleus.
• An alpha particle is like a Helium nucleus that has no electrons and has a valency 2+.
• Alpha particles are emitted by radioactive nuclei such as uranium or radium, in a process known as alpha decay.

 Additional Information

• Characteristic of an alpha particle
  • An alpha particle is a fast-moving packet containing two protons and two neutrons (a helium nucleus). Alpha particles carry a charge of +2 and strongly interact with matter.
  • Produced during alpha decay, alpha particles can travel only a few inches through the air and can be easily stopped with a sheet of paper.
• Characteristic of a beta particle
  • A beta particle also called beta ray or beta radiation (symbol β), is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted by the radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus during the process of beta decay.
  • There are two forms of beta decay, β− decay and β+ decay, which produce electrons and positrons respectively.
• Characteristic of a gamma-ray
  • A gamma-ray, or gamma radiation (symbol γ), is penetrating electromagnetic radiation arising from the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei.
  • It consists of the shortest wavelength electromagnetic waves and so imparts the highest photon energy.
• Characteristics of an X-ray 
  •  X-rays are produced when an element is bombarded with high-energy particles, which can be photons, electrons or ions (such as protons). 
  • When the incident particle strikes a bound electron (the target electron) in an atom, the target electron is ejected from the inner shell of the atom.