alpha decay
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Alpha decay is when certain radioactive atoms release tiny particles called alpha particles, causing them to transform into different elements. This process matters because it's how some radioactive materials naturally lose energy and become less radioactive over time, which is important for understanding nuclear radiation and how radioactive substances behave.
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Visual representation of alpha decay
Alpha decay or α-decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus). The parent nucleus transforms or "decays" into a daughter product, with a mass number that is reduced by four and an atomic number that is reduced by two. An alpha particle is identical to the nucleus of a helium-4 atom, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. For example, uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay to form thorium-234.