Question detail
Which of the following describes alpha radiation?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Atoms and nuclear radiation
Question
- A. A high-speed electron emitted from the nucleus.
- B. A helium nucleus containing two protons and two neutrons.
- C. Electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus.
- D. Neutrons emitted from unstable nuclei.
Answer
A helium nucleus containing two protons and two neutrons.
Explanation
Alpha radiation is specifically defined as the emission of a helium nucleus, which consists of two protons and two neutrons.
Common mistake
Alpha Radiation Characteristics
Students often confuse the ionising power of alpha radiation with its penetrating ability, thinking that strong ionisation means it can penetrate materials well.
To fix this, remember that alpha radiation is strongly ionising due to its mass and charge, but it is weakly penetrating because it can be stopped by a sheet of paper or even the outer layer of human skin.
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