Question

Calculate the charge on an alpha particle. Given on a proton=\[1.6 \times {10^{19}}C\].

Answer 1

Hint Assume an alpha particle. Helium is one of the best examples of an alpha particle. Helium consists of 2 protons and has 2 electrons. We know the charge value for a proton. Find the overall charge by multiplying it by my number of protons.

Complete step by step answer
An alpha particle is a by-product of elements that undergo alpha decay. It is quick moving by product that consists of 2 protons and 2 electrons in the nucleus. Generally, alpha particles are said to be helium gas. They carry a positive 2 charge and have a tendency to interact strongly with nearby matter or elements. That’s why alpha decay is performed in a closed environment and not in open.
Alpha decay is one of the types of radioactive decay processes where the nucleus of the element undergoing decay emits a helium nucleus(Alpha particle) and hence decays itself to an element with atomic number reduced by the factor of two and mass number of the element reduced by 4. Sometimes the new formed decay element can also be referred to as isotope of the element.
Now, it is given in our question that the charge of the proton is said to be \[1.6 \times {10^{19}}C\]per proton. Helium nucleus consists of two protons and two electrons. Hence the overall charge of alpha particle is given as,
\[ \Rightarrow Q = n \times 1.6 \times {10^{19}}C\], where n is number of protons
\[ \Rightarrow Q = 2 \times 1.6 \times {10^{19}}C = 3.2 \times {10^{19}}C\]
Thus the overall charge of the alpha particle is said to be \[3.2 \times {10^{19}}C\].

Note Helium is created as a by-product of radioactive decay. Identified as bright yellow light by Pierre Janssen in France during the solar eclipse in the year 1868, it is found that helium is the second most abundant element in the whole universe.