Alpha Particle Mass: Definition, Value, Properties & Example

Alpha Particle, alternatively known as Alpha Ray or Alpha Radiation, is a particle that is positively charged emitted when radioactive materials are decayed. The reason behind the mass of the alpha particle is the bonding between its two protons and two neutrons. In this article, we will learn more about the mass of the alpha particles, their properties, and their uses.

Keyterms: Atoms, Thomson's Atomic Model, Rutherford's Model, Atomic Spectra, Alpha-Radiations, Radiation, Alpha Ray, Proton, Neutron, Helium, Nucleus, Velocity

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What is an Alpha Particle?

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Alpha particles, alpha rays, or alpha radiations, are all the names of a particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons which are known as alpha particles. The alpha particles actually are very similar to the helium nucleus emitted by some radioactive substances. The alpha particles are named after the first Greek alphabet, α. The alpha particles are generally produced during the alpha decay but there are various other ways to produce alpha particles. They have zero net spins. Alpha particles have a kinetic energy of 5 MeV, and a velocity of 4% of that of light.

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Properties of Alpha Particles

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• The mass of the alpha particle is 6.644657230(82) x 10^-27 kg. 
• The speed of the alpha particle is 1.4 x 10⁷ m/s to 2.1 x 10⁷ m/s.
• The penetrating power of alpha particles is very low due to their large size.
• Alpha particles give rise to heating effects if they are stopped.
• Alpha particles are produced in the high-energy particle accelerators.
• Alpha particles are capable of producing fluorescence in certain substances.
• They also affect photographic plates.
• They have high ionization power.
• Despite the low perforating power, alpha particles can result in burns on the human body.
• At smaller angles, alpha particles are deflected by both magnetic and electric fields.

Radioactive Atom Releasing an Alpha Particle

Some properties of alpha particles along with corresponding values and units are listed below:

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Uses of Alpha Particles

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1. Alpha particles are used in cancer treatment in Unsealed Source Radiotherapy which works by inserting alpha particles in little amounts into the cancerous masses.
2. Alpha particles are used to eliminate static electricity in industries like paper mills as the alpha particles work by attracting free electrons.
3. Alpha particles also act as fuel sources for pacemakers.
4. Alpha particles are also used in various experiments such as the Rutherford gold foil experiment, Geiger-Marsden experiment.
5. Alpha particles are also used in smoke detectors by ionizing the molecules in the air which allows a small amount of current to pass through the electrodes, thus ringing an alarm.

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Example of Alpha Particle

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Any alpha decay can be easily represented as:

Hence, an example of alpha decay can be:

Here,\(^4_2He\)is the alpha particle.

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Things to Remember

• Alpha Particle, alternatively known as Alpha Ray or Alpha Radiation, is a particle that is positively charged emitted when radioactive materials are decayed.
• The alpha particles are named after the first Greek alphabet, α.
• The speed of the alpha particle is 1.4 x 10⁷ m/s to 2.1 x 10⁷ m/s.
• Despite the low perforating power, alpha particles can result in burns on the human body.
• Alpha particles are used to eliminate static electricity in industries as the alpha particles work by attracting free electrons.
• Alpha particles are used in cancer treatment.

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