question_answer

What are alpha particles? In the reaction: \[_{Z}^{A}X\to \alpha +\Upsilon ,\] give the atomic number and mass number of \[\Upsilon \].                

Answer:

                Alpha particles are helium nuclei, i.e., doubly ionised helium atoms. They are represented as \[_{2}^{4}\]He                 Given \[_{Z}^{A}X\to \alpha +\Upsilon \] or \[_{Z}^{A}X\to _{2}^{4}He+\Upsilon \] \[\therefore \] Atomic number of\[\Upsilon =Z-2\] Mass number of \[\Upsilon =A-4\]