Question

Which of the following statements regarding alpha particles are true? Check all that apply.a. Alpha particles have a mass number of 4b. Alpha particles have a nulear charge of +1c. Alpha particle formation is accompanied by the conversion of a proton into a neutrond. Alpha particle formation is accompanied by the conversion of a neutron into a proton

Answer 1

Answer:

The only true statement is:

• a. Alpha particles have a mass number of 4

Explanation:

Alpha particles are radiactive particles equivalent to a helium nucleus, so they have two protons and two neutrons.

Hence, alpha particles, α, are represented as:

• ⁴₂He

The superscript 4 to the left of the chemical symbol is the mass number: 2 protons + 2 neutrons = 4

The subscript 2 to the left of the chemical symbol is the atomic number: 2 protons = 2.

Hence, the statement "a. Alpha particles have a mass number of 4" is true.

As for the other statements, you have:

b. Alpha particles have a nulear charge of +1: false

Since, these particles are the nucleous of the helium atom, the nuclear charge equals the number of protons of this atom: +2. Hence, the statement is false.

c. Alpha particle formation is accompanied by the conversion of a proton into a neutron and d. Alpha particle formation is accompanied by the conversion of a neutron into a proton. (both false)

The conversion of a protons into a neutrons and the conversion of a neutron into a proton are product of other kind of radiactive desintegrations.

• The conversion of a proton into a neutron involves the emission of a positron ( particle with same mass as the electron but positive charge) from the nucleus, which is represented as ⁰₊₁β.

• The conversion of a neutron into a proton involves the emssion of an electron from the nucleus, which is the emission of a beta particle represented as ⁰₋₁β.

Therefore, these last two statements are also false.