What is the composition and charge of an alpha particle?

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Multiple Choice

What is the composition and charge of an alpha particle?

An alpha particle is the helium-4 nucleus, a tightly bound cluster of two protons and two neutrons. The electric charge comes from the protons: two protons contribute a total of +2, while neutrons contribute no charge. Since this is the nucleus that’s emitted, there are no electrons attached, so the net charge is +2. Over time in surroundings it can pick up electrons and become neutral helium, but at the moment of emission it is a bare nucleus with charge +2.

An alpha particle is the helium-4 nucleus, a tightly bound cluster of two protons and two neutrons. The electric charge comes from the protons: two protons contribute a total of +2, while neutrons contribute no charge. Since this is the nucleus that’s emitted, there are no electrons attached, so the net charge is +2. Over time in surroundings it can pick up electrons and become neutral helium, but at the moment of emission it is a bare nucleus with charge +2.

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