Select the correct answer.
Which notation is used to represent an alpha particle?
A. ${ }_{-1}^0 \beta$
B. ${ }_0^0 y$
C. ${ }_2^4 He$
D. ${ }_1^0 n
Answer (1)
An alpha particle is composed of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, making it equivalent to a Helium nucleus. The notation for Helium is He, with an atomic number of 2 and a mass number of 4. Therefore, the correct notation for an alpha particle is 2 4 He .
Explanation
Understanding Alpha Particles An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. We need to identify the correct notation for it.
Helium Nucleus An alpha particle is equivalent to a Helium nucleus. The notation for Helium is He.
Correct Notation The atomic number (number of protons) is 2, and the mass number (number of protons + neutrons) is 4. Therefore, the correct notation is 2 4 He .
Examples
Understanding the notation of particles is crucial in nuclear chemistry and physics. For instance, when studying radioactive decay, knowing that an alpha particle is represented as 2 4 He helps in balancing nuclear equations and predicting the products of nuclear reactions. This knowledge is also essential in applications like radiation therapy, where alpha particles are used to target and destroy cancer cells.
