What happens in Alpha Decay?

In alpha decay, an unstable atomic nucleus releases an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. Here is what happens during alpha decay:

• Inside the nucleus of an unstable atom, two protons and two neutrons come together to form an alpha particle. This particle formation is driven by the need to achieve greater nuclear stability.
• The alpha particle is emitted from the nucleus due to quantum tunneling. Despite the strong nuclear forces holding it within the nucleus, the particle manages to escape through the potential barrier surrounding the nucleus, a phenomenon explained by quantum mechanics.
• As the alpha particle contains two protons and two neutrons, the loss of this particle results in a decrease in the atomic number by two and the mass number by four. This shifts the element to another position on the periodic table, typically two places to the left, forming a new element with different physical and chemical properties.
• The emission of the alpha particle is accompanied by the release of energy. This energy is released because the mass of the remaining daughter nucleus and the alpha particle combined is less than the original mass of the parent nucleus (following Einstein’s equation E=mc²). This mass difference is released as kinetic energy, part of which is carried away by the alpha particle.
• The product of alpha decay is a new, more stable nucleus. This nucleus may still be radioactive. It can undergo further radioactive decay, either by emitting more alpha particles, beta particles, or other forms of decay.

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay where an unstable atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle and transforms into a different nucleus. This process reduces the atomic number by two and the mass number by four, resulting in the formation of a new element. In this article, we will learn about the process of alpha decay in detail, including its equation, examples and applications.