The alpha particle carries two positive charge. Its mass is very nearl...
Each alpha particle contains two protons and two neutrons.
Total number of nucleons = Number of protons +
Number of neutrons
= 2 + 2 = 4
Total number of nucleons = Mass number of an
element
Thus mass number of alpha particle is 4 which is equal to molecular weight of helium atom.
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The alpha particle carries two positive charge. Its mass is very nearl...
The Alpha Particle
The alpha particle is a type of subatomic particle that carries a positive charge. It consists of two protons and two neutrons, making it identical to the nucleus of a helium atom. In this question, we are asked to determine which option describes the mass of an alpha particle.
Options
Let's analyze each option to see which one is correct:
a) Two protons: The mass of a proton is approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu). Therefore, the mass of two protons would be 2 amu.
b) An atom of helium: The atomic mass of helium is approximately 4 amu. Since an alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, it has the same mass as a helium atom.
c) Sum of masses of two positrons and two neutrons: The mass of a positron is the same as that of an electron, which is approximately 0.0005485 amu. Therefore, the sum of the masses of two positrons and two neutrons would be much smaller than the mass of an alpha particle.
d) Two positrons: Each positron carries a single positive charge, but they have a very small mass compared to protons or neutrons. Therefore, the mass of two positrons would be much smaller than the mass of an alpha particle.
Correct Answer
The correct answer is option 'B' - an atom of helium. The mass of an alpha particle is very nearly equal to the mass of a helium atom, as they both consist of two protons and two neutrons.
Explanation
The alpha particle is a stable particle, and it is commonly emitted during radioactive decay. It is relatively large compared to other subatomic particles and has a double positive charge. The combination of two protons and two neutrons gives it a mass of approximately 4 amu, which is the same as the mass of a helium atom.
Understanding the composition and mass of subatomic particles is essential in various fields of science, including nuclear physics and chemistry. It allows us to explain the behavior and properties of matter at the atomic and subatomic levels.