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Alpha particle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
 | | They consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium nucleus; hence, it can be written as He Alpha particles are emitted by radioactive nuclei such as uranium or radium in a process known as alpha decay. |
| | In contrast to beta decay, alpha decay is mediated by the strong nuclear force. |
| | When an alpha particle is emitted, the atomic mass of an element goes down by roughly 4 amu, due to the loss of 4 nucleons. |
| en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Alpha_particle (876 words) |
