Why only alpha particles are emitted by radioactive nuclei but neutrons and protons are not?
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Actually , this α-particle is nothing but a positively charged Helium ion.
When you take 2 electrons away from a helium nucleus what you're left with is Helium nucleus which is (in such condition) also called alpha particles.
So, when a radioactive decay occurs the nucleus fo that radioactive element fires it's neturons and protons in groups such that everytime it forms an alpha particle.
And why a nucleus would fire it's electron and protons??
Before answering that question you need to know that in a nucleus the +ve and the neutral particles i.e protons and neutrons respectively are held closely. But we also know that like charges repels. So why are they together?? There's a force called strong nuclear force (one of the fundamental forces of nature) which acts here. And it holds nuclei together and it acts over a small distance.
As the size of the nuclei increases the nucleus becomes more unstable. The radioactive elements have large nuclei so they are more unstable and the stong nuclear force also gets weaker as a result of increase in diameter.
So the force isn't able to hold the nucleus for long and as a result alpha rays are emmitted.
Hope you got it.
When you take 2 electrons away from a helium nucleus what you're left with is Helium nucleus which is (in such condition) also called alpha particles.
So, when a radioactive decay occurs the nucleus fo that radioactive element fires it's neturons and protons in groups such that everytime it forms an alpha particle.
And why a nucleus would fire it's electron and protons??
Before answering that question you need to know that in a nucleus the +ve and the neutral particles i.e protons and neutrons respectively are held closely. But we also know that like charges repels. So why are they together?? There's a force called strong nuclear force (one of the fundamental forces of nature) which acts here. And it holds nuclei together and it acts over a small distance.
As the size of the nuclei increases the nucleus becomes more unstable. The radioactive elements have large nuclei so they are more unstable and the stong nuclear force also gets weaker as a result of increase in diameter.
So the force isn't able to hold the nucleus for long and as a result alpha rays are emmitted.
Hope you got it.
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