Alpha particles are alternatively known as Alpha radiation or Alpha rays. It is a positively charged particle emitted from the decay of various radioactive materials. Alpha particle mass is due to the two protons and two neutrons bonding. Thus, the Alpha ray nucleus is very similar to the Helium-4 nucleus. Represented by the Greek alphabet α. This article lets us know about alpha particle mass in detail, along with examples.
Mass Of An Alpha Particle
An alpha particle can be called by an interchangeable term doubly ioniszed helium nuclei(He2+). The mass of an alpha particle is-
Alpha particle mass is αm = 6.644657230(82) × 10-27 Kg
Terms within the parenthesis represent the error factor.
Alpha Particle
Alpha particles are generally produced during standard radioactive decay. These alpha rays have an average kinetic energy of 5MeV and velocity in the vicinity of 5% of that of c. They are also produced in high energy particle accelerators. They are highly ionised particles and have low penetration depth. Generally stopped by a few centimetres of air or by the skin.
Some properties of an Alpha particle along with corresponding values and units are listed in the table below.
| Alpha Particle | Value |
| Alpha Particle mass in Kg | 6.644657230(82) × 10-27 Kg |
| Mass of alpha particle in amu | 4.001506179127(63) u |
| Mass of alpha particle in eV | 3.727379378(23) GeV/c2 |
| Alpha particle mass number | 4 |
| Alpha particle charge | Positive |
| Alpha particle symbol | α, &alpha2+, He2+. |
| Mass of alpha particle compared to proton | Mass of alpha particle = 4 × mass of a proton |
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