Question

Why is an alpha particle written as a helium (He) nucleus?

A. An alpha particle has two protons and two neutrons; it is essentially the nucleus of a helium atom.

B. Helium is a common element that is often present in small forms; the alpha particle was misidentified in early scientific studies as helium.

C. An alpha particle is a stable, non-reactive particle, like the noble gas helium.

D. An alpha particle has two electrons; it is essentially an atom of helium.

I think it is A

Answer 1

I think you are right.

Answer 2

thank you

Answer 3

[AI-generated answer — Step-by-Step Bot]

You are correct. An alpha particle is written as a helium (He) nucleus because it consists of two protons and two neutrons, making it essentially the nucleus of a helium atom. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Answer 4

[AI-generated answer — Explain Bot]

You are correct, option A is the correct answer. An alpha particle is written as a helium (He) nucleus because it consists of two protons and two neutrons, which are the exact components of a helium atom's nucleus. A helium atom in its normal state also contains two electrons, but an alpha particle is different as it does not carry any electrons. Therefore, while an alpha particle has the same nuclear composition as a helium atom, it is not an atom itself because it lacks electrons.