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All large radioactive atoms decay into smaller atoms by releasing alpha particles. Each alpha particle has 2 protons, 2 neutrons, and 0 electrons. The table below describes several neutral, low-mass atoms.

\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|l|}
\hline \multicolumn{4}{|c|}{Stable Isotopes of Low-Mass Elements} \\
\hline Element Name & Symbol & \begin{tabular}{l} Atomic \\ Number \end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l} Number of \\ Neutrons \end{tabular} \\
\hline Hydrogen & H & 1 & 0 \\
\hline Helium & He & 2 & 2 \\
\hline Lithium & Li & 3 & 4 \\
\hline Beryllium & Be & 4 & 5 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

An alpha particle is also referred to as a nucleus of which isotope?

A. Lithium-7
B. Helium-4
C. Hydrogen-2
D. Helium-2



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
To determine which isotope an alpha particle is commonly referred to as the nucleus of, let's review the properties of an alpha particle and compare them with the provided isotopes.

1. Alpha Particle Characteristics:
- Protons: 2
- Neutrons: 2
- Electrons: 0 (since it is a nucleus and not a neutral atom)

2. Characteristics of Listed Isotopes:
- Hydrogen (H):
- Atomic Number (Number of Protons): 1
- Number of Neutrons: 0

- Helium (He):
- Atomic Number (Number of Protons): 2
- Number of Neutrons: 2

- Lithium (Li):
- Atomic Number (Number of Protons): 3
- Number of Neutrons: 4

- Beryllium (Be):
- Atomic Number (Number of Protons): 4
- Number of Neutrons: 5

3. Matching the Alpha Particle to the Isotopes:
- We see that an alpha particle contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
- Checking against the listed isotopes:
- Hydrogen (1 proton, 0 neutrons) does not match.
- Helium (2 protons, 2 neutrons) matches perfectly.
- Lithium (3 protons, 4 neutrons) does not match.
- Beryllium (4 protons, 5 neutrons) does not match.

Given this analysis, the alpha particle matches the properties of the Helium nucleus, specifically the isotope Helium-4 (denoted as [tex]\( \text{He-4} \)[/tex]) because it has 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

Therefore, an alpha particle is also referred to as a nucleus of the isotope:
helium-4.

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