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Alpha rays have
(A) Positive charge
(B) Negative charge
(C) No charge
(D) Sometimes positive and sometimes negative charge.

Answer
VerifiedVerified
163.8k+ views
Hint: An alpha ray is a series of alpha particles. The alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons joined together by particles similar to the helium nucleus. Radioactive and is produced by the process of alpha decomposition. Alpha particles, such as helium nuclei, have a zero net spin.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
Alpha particles have a direct charge and are similar to helium nuclei and contain two protons and two neutrons. They are caused by radioactive decay of heavy elements such as radium, thorium, uranium, and plutonium. Alpha rays are actually particles of high speed. The alpha particle is made up of two protons and two neutrons, all of which are composed of nuclear forces comprising the nucleus of an atom.

The strength of alpha particles varies, when high-strength alpha particles are released into large nuclei, but most alpha particles have a power of between three and seven MeVs, corresponding to the longevity of the part of the alpha-releasing nuclides.
So, the correct answer A) positive charge.

Note: A well-known source of alpha particles is the alpha decay of the heaviest atoms. When an atom releases alpha particles from alpha decay, the number of atoms decreases by four because of the loss of four nucleons in the alpha particle. The number of atoms decreases by two, due to the loss of two protons - the atom becomes a new thing.