Question

What is alpha decay made of?

Answer 1

An alpha particle can be thought of as a helium nucleus, `""_2^4He^(2+)`: two protons and two neutrons, for a total of four nucleons, with no electrons.

Answer 2

“Alpha decay” is the spontaneous fission of an atomic nucleus that releases an “alpha” particle.

Explanation:

There are three main nuclear fission (radioactivity) particles – alpha, beta, and gamma. Alpha particles are really just helium atoms ejected at high velocity. Beta particles are electrons or positrons, and a gamma particle is a high-energy photon.