What is Alpha: Definition and 474 Discussions

Alpha (uppercase Α, lowercase α; Ancient Greek: ἄλφα, álpha, modern pronunciation álfa) is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals, it has a value of one. Alpha is derived from the Phoenician letter aleph , which is the West Semitic word for "ox". Letters that arose from alpha include the Latin letter A and the Cyrillic letter А.

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  1. D

    What is the branching ratio for alpha decay to Pu-237?

    I understand that In general, the branching ratio for a particular decay mode is defined as the ratio of the number of atoms decaying by that decay mode to the number decaying in total. But I can’t get this specific branching ratio.
  2. K

    I Solving this Equation that Wolfram Alpha doesn't compute....

    Hi I need to solve this equation: $$ a = x \cdot \left( c \cdot e^{ \frac {1} {d+x \cdot e }} - b \right) $$ for x. Unfortunately Wolfram Alpha refused to compute it. Maybe I need a Pro version. Can anyone help me? Thanks!
  3. L

    NASA Mission to Alpha Centauri: SR & Relativistic Effects

    NASA has proposed a mission to Alpha Centuri: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2069_Alpha_Centauri_mission This mission would involve a spacecraft traveling at 10% of light speed and therefore relativistic effects could be somewhat significant. Let's assume this spacecraft is carrying a...
  4. brotherbobby

    Alpha Particle Scattering and angular momentum

    Statement of the problem : "Using the definition L = r ##\times## p, prove that the direction of L is constant for an alpha (##\alpha##) particle whose scattering is shown in the diagram below. " Relevant equations : We are aware that the scattering takes place via a central force F = F(r)...
  5. S

    Rate of emission of alpha particle in uranium decay

    Homework Statement U - 238 is undergoing alpha emission into Th - 234. U - 238 has half – life of 109 years. Calculate the emission rate of alpha when uranium has mass of 10 grams Homework Equations A = λN A = A0 (1/2)n , n = t / half - life The Attempt at a Solution Not sure how to do it but...
  6. Z

    Why do alpha particles experience large angle deflections?

    Homework Statement I would like to understand why alpha particles experience large angle deflections and if this is the same thing as recoil of alpha particles? Do large angle deflections occur near the end of the alpha particle track or can they occur at any point along the trajectory...
  7. M

    Alternative to MCNP for modeling alpha particles?

    I am a masters student in the UK. For my project I have to monitor the efficiency of zinc sulphide detectors for monitoring alpha particles in liquid solutions. I need to model things like the proximity of the detector to the liquid, the size of the detector and the thickness of the light-tight...
  8. ezfzx

    I Reconciling alpha particle mass

    Ugh ... I remember there was a reason ... but forgot what it was. So here's 3 bits of information gathered from dozens of sources, textbooks, official sites: Alpha particles are identical to Helium nuclei. Alpha particle mass = 4.001506 u helium-4 nuclei mass = 4.0026032 u OK, so ... why...
  9. R

    I Is a trip to explore the Alpha Centuri system actually feasible?

    Can the journey be completed within the lifetime of a human adult? Assuming we have got around little problems like having an adequate form of propulsion, shielding from radiation, and avoiding deadly collisions with milligram sized dust particles. Let's say our engines can provide constant...
  10. E

    I Understanding the Ly-α Forest: A Guide for EnSlavingBlair

    Hi, I'm currently trying to wrap my head around how the Ly-α forest works. This is what I have so far; A distant quasar produces these Ly-α photons, which occur when a hydrogen's electron drops from n=2 to n=1, and has a wavelength of around 121nm (depending on the exact transition). This...
  11. Muhammad Danish

    Can a Gold Leaf Electroscope Detect Alpha Particles?

    Can we use Gold Leaf Electroscope to check whether a radioactive material gives off Alpha particles?
  12. T

    Kinetic energy of an alpha particle

    Homework Statement During the ##\alpha## decay of ##^{238}_{92}U## an ##\alpha## particle is fromed inside the nucleus. Given that the last 4 nucleons in ##^{238}_{92}U## have an average binding energy per nucleon of ##6.1MeV##, estimate the kinetic energy of the ##\alpha## particle when it is...
  13. R

    Alpha particle approaching a gold nucleus

    Homework Statement An alpha particle approaches at high speeds a gold nucleus with a charge of 79e. What is the electric force acting on the alpha particle when it is 2.0e-17 m from the gold nucleus? Homework Equations FE=k(q1q2)/d2 The Attempt at a Solution FE=k(q1q2)/d2...
  14. K

    MHB Confusing answer from Wolfram Alpha

    \sqrt{\sqrt{}}Firstly, I have tried to work out the square root sign, I would have thought this common sign to be listed on the right. While checking my answer to the square root of 171 I noticed wolfram displayed also another function under the listing of "exact answer". It gave 3 with a...
  15. Richie Smash

    Find the value of alpha and beta (matrix equation)

    Homework Statement Hello, I have three matrices A = [3 -4 2 1] B = [α β] C= [α 5] The question now states AB = C Find the values of (alpha) and (beta). Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I found the inverse of A, then I multiplied each side of the equation AB=C by the inverse...
  16. S

    Energy released through alpha decay

    Homework Statement The radioactive isotope radon-222 may decay spontaneously by emitting an alpha particle. The daughter nucleus is an isotope of polonium. The atomic masses of these isotopes are: Rn-222 : 222.0157 u Po : 218.00896 u He : 4.00260 u A sample of radon-222 contains 3.0 x 107...
  17. B

    Alpha Beta Crosstalk: Ludlum 3030P Impact on Alpha Counts?

    I have a Ludlum 3030P alpha beta counter. This has windows set from 70 - 700 mV and 1000 - 4000 mV but i only use it to measure Alpha smears. This instrument comes optional with detector shielding which reduces background betas. Since I'm not measuring betas does it matter that I don't have the...
  18. G

    Momentum of alpha particles

    Homework Statement Fast moving α particles of mass m make collisions in a cloud chamber with gas atoms of mass M and negligible initial velocity. After a collision, the velocities of the scattered α particles and the recoiling gas atoms are v and V respectively, the former being inclined at an...
  19. F

    Does alpha channel really need 8-bits?

    Hi, I am looking for the differences between 16-bit, 24-bit and 32-bit colors for a while. I saw that actually 32-bit color is also like 24-bit color but plus 8-bit alpha channel. Since 8-bit information represents 256 possible values for each color channel, what does 8-bit do exactly for alpha...
  20. M

    Why do 2 d not decay into alpha particle and neutral pion?

    Homework Statement The reaction dd → απ0 (where α is the Helium-4 nucleus and d denotes the deuteron) has never been observed. Why? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution [/B] So I checked first the masses to make sure energy/momentum are conserved and found out that mass of 2d is...
  21. R

    B Wolfram Alpha graph of ln(x) shows as ln(abs(x))

    Hello- I was checking an answer to an integral on Wolfram Alpha and noticed I don't know how they distinguish between ln(x) and ln("absolute value of"(x)). It appears all of their inputs and outputs imply absolute value (taking positive and negative x-values) Is anyone here familiar with their...
  22. Q

    B Relationship between anomalous factor and alpha

    Hello everyone. Maybe you can help me with the following. In the case of the electron, is there any known mathematical relationship between anomalous factor and fine structure constant?
  23. Elvis 123456789

    Collision of alpha with Be -> C + gamma

    Homework Statement Before the discovery of the neutron, it was proposed that the penetrating radiation produced when beryllium was bombarded with alpha particles consisted of high-energy &gamma rays (up to 50 MeV) produced in reactions such as α + 9Be --> 13C + γ a.) Calculate the Q value for...
  24. F

    Writing: Input Wanted Some problem solving -- probe is traveling to Alpha centauri

    Hello, I am trying to write a scene- story is set a bit in the future in which theoretically, using nuclear as a fuel is a possibility in space travel. The problem I'm trying to solve right now is if a probe is traveling to Alpha centauri (4.37) light years from the sun and the probe...
  25. A

    B Fusion and Alpha Particle Emission: Neutron vs Proton

    When two deuterons fuse, I understand they form an alpha particle in an excited state. Based on mass differences the fusion releases 23.85MeV, which is enough to eject a proton (19.81MeV) or a neutron (20.58MeV) from the alpha particle. It seems to prefer neutron emission, as this fusion is used...
  26. A

    Bombardment of Nitrogen-14 with an alpha particle

    Question: When alpha particles, having kinetic energy 3.0000 MeV bombard nitrogen-14 nuclei, oxygen-17 forms and the reaction releases a proton. Calculate the kinetic energy shared by the reaction products. Nitrogen-14 = 14.000307 amu Helium-4 = 4.00260 amu Oxygen-17 = 16.99913 amu Proton =...
  27. A

    I How do the Lorenz equations for time account for the movement of Alpha Centauri?

    They say that the light that reaches us from Alpha Centauri left that star 4 years ago but this assumes that both alpha centauri and the Earth are not moving relative to each other. In face Alpha Centauri s approaching us at about 10% of the speed of light. By the Lorenz equations for time...
  28. S

    I Alpha Spectroscopy: Why does Peak Resolution Change?

    I'm trying to understand why peak resolution changed in my alpha spectroscopy experiment. I've increased the distance between a Am-241 source and a silicon surface barrier (semiconductor) detector and taken spectra along the way, recording information about peak height and FWHM. As the...
  29. S

    What is the energy of the alpha particle and recoiling nucleus?

    Homework Statement The Q-value of alpha decay of Pu-239 is 5.244 MeV. Calculate the energy of the alpha particle in MeV. Calculate the energy of the recoil nucleus decay product in MeV. (answer correct to 3 decimal places) Homework Equations The Q value of a nuclear reaction is the difference...
  30. R

    B Math tools in a travel to Alpha Centauri?

    I want to know what mathematical tools I would use in the event that we have the right technology. So far I have only calculated the distance to Alpha Centauri using parallax. I need any other tool: hypothetical speeds of ships, trigonometry, vectors, trajectories, any tool that is necessary...
  31. maistral

    CEOS - Alpha functions requirement

    I seem to have forgotten where I have seen these particular rules; I need them for my research. I think I saw them in a book somewhere... but that was around 4 years ago. Does anyone know where can I find the rules stipulated by statistical mechanics/thermodynamics on the alpha function α(TR)...
  32. A

    Radioactive alpha source question

    Small radioactive sources are often used for laboratory experiments. They are enclosed in a metal container with a small window. A gamma source might be covered by a stainless steel window. What would you expect the window of an alpha source to be like, and why? (I know the answer has to do with...
  33. L

    Compute the energy of the emitted alpha for Na20 decaying to an excited state

    I think I got this right, I just want a second opinion to know if my concepts are correct 1. Homework Statement 20Na decays to an excited state of 20Ne through the emission of positrons of maximum kinetic energy 5.55 MeV. The excited state decays by ##\alpha## emission to the ground state of...
  34. doktorwho

    Wolfram Alpha or Wolfram Course Assistant

    Hi, i would like to get someone's opinion on an iOS app I've been looking into. I already own Wolfram Alpha and am curious as I'm taking Calculus II should i get the Calculus Course assistant from Wolfram and what is the difference between it and the regular Alpha?
  35. J

    "How Fr=Ialpha Works in a Pulley w/ Mass

    Homework Statement How does Fr=Ialpha work and how is it applied to a pulley with one mass attatched? Homework Equations F * r = I * alpha I = moment of inertia The Attempt at a Solution I'm assuming F would be the tension of the pulley with the string. But how does that equation work? can...
  36. K

    B Alpha decay produces electron surplus?

    Hi! I recently learned about the Alpha decay, where the atomic Nukleus emittes Alpha-Particles. I was wonderin if a material, which emittes such Alpha Particles has a surplus of electrons and so a negativ electronic charge after the decay. Because it loses Protons but stays with the...
  37. F

    Alpha Particle Approaching a Gold Nucleus

    Homework Statement An alpha-particle with velocity 3.5 x 106 strikes a block of gold, atomic number 79 and mass number 197. Find the distance of the closest possible approach between the alpha particle and a gold nucelus, assuming Coulomb's law holds over such distances. Assume mp = mn = 1.67 x...
  38. niveda

    Proton is moving at an alpha particle, distance when it stops

    Homework Statement an alpha particle with a charge of 2e is fixed at the origin. a proton is aimed at the alpha particle and shot from a distance of 2.00 m at a speed of 3.46x10^6 m/s. How close will the proton come to the alpha particle before coming to a stop? Homework Equations Please help...
  39. Bloopy

    B Doubt regarding Rutherford's Alpha Scattering Experiment and Impact Parameter

    It is mentioned in my Textbook that if alpha-particle has large impact parameter, it gets scattered through small angles and vice versa. I understand that impact parameter is defined as the perpendicular distance between the path of a projectile and the center of the nucleus. I am unsure how...
  40. moenste

    KE of alpha particle using integer values of nuclear masses

    Homework Statement (a) Cobalt has only one stable isotope, 59Co. What form of radioactive decay would you expect the isotope 60Co to undergo? Give a reason for your answer. (b) The radioactive nuclei 21084Po emit alpha particles of a single energy, the product nuclei being 20682Pb. (b) (i)...
  41. moenste

    Alpha emission decay: maximum possible delay

    Homework Statement A tube containing a isotope of radon, 22286Rn, is to be implanted in a patient. The radon has an initial activity of 1.6 * 104 Bq, a half-life of 4 days and it decays by alpha emission. To provide the correct dose, the tube, containing a freshly prepared sample of the...
  42. S

    Alpha decay in elements under 35

    For a chemistry paper I'm writing, I have to include an example of alpha decay using only elements up to number 35, however, I can't find one that would actually work. Does anyone know of any that could be used?
  43. M

    Beta radiation and Alpha radiation

    This might be a very stupid question :(, but I am confused. So I did an experiment. we had radioactive material which was emitting beta particles, and we were using geiger counter to measure pulses (ionized beta particles). We were supposed to measure the time it takes for the geiger counter to...
  44. Vitani11

    Direction of alpha particles/protons from isotope decay

    Homework Statement A stationary B nucleus decays into two alpha particles and a proton, and the speed of the proton is found to be 6.0x10^6 m/s. What is the magnitude and direction of the velocities of the alpha particles with respect to the proton? Homework Equations Unnecessary The Attempt...
  45. S

    Determine the energy of an alpha particle

    I have been asked to determine the energy in MeV of an alpha particle and an Rn nucleus in the decay of Ra-226 using the conservation of energy and momentum. (assume Ra is at rest) Here is what i have done, I am just wondering if i did it properly. Thanks for your help :) Ek=kinetic energy...
  46. MAGNIBORO

    I Is Wolfram Alpha Wrong About This Infinite Sum?

    Hi, I'm reading a book of math and in one page says: $$\sum_{n=2}^{\infty }\frac{3^n-1}{4^n}\zeta (n+1)=\pi$$ I tried to solve this,as I could not solved I requested to wolfram alpha and told me that this sum is approximately equal to 2.319125...
  47. K

    I Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution Alpha and Beta

    Hi, I have a question about Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution. First, because of mass conservataion and energy conservatioin, Sum Ni and Sum EiNi must be constant. Partial of both sum will be 0. Is that why we adopted constant alpha as a parametric constant? because without alpha, partial Nj of...
  48. A

    I Alpha decay and magnetic fields

    How is the alpha decay of a given nucleus affected by the presence of an external electromagnetic field? It's probably an easier question that I think but I've been unable to find a treatment of the tunneling of the alpha particle using WKB method in the presence of a magnetic field.
  49. F

    I Feynman Lectures: negative alpha for solving Schrödinger equation

    Why doesn't The Feynman Lectures consider the possibility of negative ##\alpha## when it says that ##e^{+2\alpha\rho}## is a rapidly increasing exponential (just below http://feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/III_19.html#mjx-eqn-EqIII1923) ?
  50. Clever Penguin

    Writing: Input Wanted Spacecraft One Alpha 10: Energy, Materials & Protection

    First let me explain life on-board the spacecraft : Energy supply: There are 7 main energy supplies that the ship uses. One of these involves the Sabatier process, where Nickel is used as a catalyst, along with heat, to create water and methane. Exhaled air can be turned into this water and...
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