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Alpha Decay definitions

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  • Alpha Decay
    A nuclear process where an unstable nucleus emits a particle identical to a Helium nucleus, resulting in a new element.
  • Alpha Particle
    A cluster of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, matching Helium in atomic mass and number, released during certain radioactive decays.
  • Helium
    An element with atomic mass 4 and atomic number 2, used to symbolize the emitted particle in alpha decay.
  • Polonium-210
    A radioactive isotope with atomic mass 210 and atomic number 84, commonly used to illustrate alpha decay.
  • Lead-206
    The stable element formed after Polonium-210 undergoes alpha decay, with atomic number 82 and mass 206.
  • Isotope
    Atoms of the same element with identical atomic numbers but differing numbers of neutrons, resulting in different masses.
  • Nuclear Reaction
    A transformation counted by changes in atomic nuclei, requiring balanced atomic masses and numbers on both sides.
  • Atomic Mass
    The sum of protons and neutrons in an atom, crucial for balancing nuclear equations.
  • Atomic Number
    The count of protons in an atom, determining the element's identity and used in balancing nuclear reactions.
  • Ionizing Power
    The ability of a particle to damage biological cells by stripping electrons, highest for alpha particles.
  • Penetrating Power
    A measure of how deeply a particle can enter materials; lowest for alpha particles, making them easy to block.
  • Radioactive Particle
    A subatomic entity emitted during nuclear decay, such as alpha, beta, or gamma types, each with unique properties.
  • Protection
    Barriers like clothing or air that prevent radioactive particles, especially alpha particles, from entering the body.