Alpha Decay

Alpha decay: what is it and how does it happen?

Alpha decay is a radioactive transformation of an atomic nucleus, which is accompanied by the emission of alpha particles. An alpha particle is a helium nucleus consisting of two protons and two neutrons and has a positive charge.

In the process of alpha decay, the nucleus of an atom emits an alpha particle and transforms into the nucleus of another element, reducing its charge by four units and its mass number by two units. For example, in alpha decay, a uranium-238 nucleus turns into a thorium-234 nucleus, and a plutonium-239 nucleus turns into a uranium-235 nucleus.

Alpha decay is one of the three main types of radioactive decay, along with beta decay and gamma radiation. However, unlike beta decay and gamma radiation, alpha particles have less penetrating power and are therefore less dangerous to living organisms.

Alpha decay is a stable process that occurs with a certain probability, called the alpha decay probability. This probability depends on the mass number and charge of the nucleus, as well as the energy conditions within the nucleus.

Alpha decay was discovered in 1899 by French physicist Henri Becquerel, who noticed that uranium salts emit an unknown radiation that can penetrate dark materials. This radiation was called radioactivity, and alpha decay was one of the first phenomena that was associated with radioactivity.

Currently, alpha decay plays an important role in nuclear physics and nuclear technology. For example, alpha emitters are used in radioisotope power supplies, as sources of ionizing radiation in materials research, and in medical devices.

In conclusion, alpha decay is an important phenomenon in nuclear physics that occurs during the radioactive transformation of atomic nuclei. Alpha decay is accompanied by the emission of alpha particles, which are helium nuclei, and leads to the formation of nuclei of other elements.

Alpha decay is one of the most common radioactive decay processes that occurs in atoms containing heavy elements. This is the process in which the nucleus of an atom, containing several protons and neutrons, decays into the nucleus of a lighter element, releasing alpha particles (the nuclei of helium atoms) and two or three neutrons.

At the beginning of the alpha decay process, the nucleus of an atom forms a channel through which the alpha particle can freely exit the atom. After this, oscillations occur in the core and its movement accelerates. Under the influence of electromagnetic forces, the nucleus collapses into the shape of a sphere, and protons and neutrons begin to move in a circle around the center. This stage lasts a few microseconds.

Then the process of de-agostization occurs, that is, the nuclear field becomes chaotic, and the center of the sphere shifts to another point. At this moment, protons split into two neutrinos. At the same time, alpha particles fly out from the nucleus at a speed of about 20,000