Alpha decay

In radioactive alpha decay, the atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (denoted by the Greek letter α): this is a helium nucleus consisting of two protons and two neutrons.

History

The name was coined by the New Zealand physicist Ernest Rutherford (1871 – 1937) baron of Nelson. In late 1907, he proofed that alpha particles are helium nuclei.

Related concepts

• abundance
• auger effect
• beta decay
• electron capture
• gamma decay
• internal conversion
• mass defect
• nuclear decay
• nuclear fission
• nuclear fusion