Alpha particle

Alpha particles or alpha rays (named after the first letter in the greek alphabet) are a form of particle radiation which are highly ionizing and have low penetration. They consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle that is identical to a helium nucleus, and can be written as He2+.

See also

• radioactivity
• beta particle
• gamma ray
• cosmic rays
• nuclear physics
• radioactive isotope
• radioactive decay
• rays: α — β — γ — δ — ε