alpha decay

Question 1

ALPHA DECAY

Answer 1

:a nucleus loses a helium nucleus

Question 2

alpha decay equation

Answer 2

the mass of the nucleus reduces by 4 atomic mass units and the charge reduces by 2xe
- Z and A numbers balance on each side of the equation

Question 3

why is there neutrons in the nucleus?

Answer 3

without neutrons, the nucleus would fly apart due to electrostatic repulsion (the electromagnetic force).
neutrons have no charge but are effected by the STRONG NUCLEAR FORCE (as are protons)

Question 4

why does alpha decay happen?

Answer 4

• some nuclei are unstable (usually large nuclei or have shortage of neutrons)
• they “wobble” and sometimes a bit gets far enough away from the rest of the nucleus for the electromagnetic force to be larger than the strong force
• the strong force “snaps” and the electromagnetic force repels the bit away strongly (always a helium-4 nucleus)