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. C

    And now for the latest news from Alpha Centauri

    A new analysis suggests that the orbit of the possible planet around Alpha Centauri B is oriented in such a way that the planet is only 1 to 3 times as massive as Earth. Link: Science.
  2. A

    Alpha particle in gold foil scatering experiment

    Homework Statement How close does the alpha particle gets to the nucleus in gold foil scatering experiment?Homework Equations Ek = 2.0 MeV W=F delta x F=(kq1q2)/r^2 W=(kq1q2)/r E=W=(kq1q2)/r The Attempt at a Solution E= (k(79)(2) e^2)/r 2.0MeV= (k(158)e^2)/r 2,000,000 eV = 8.99 Wm^2 c^-2 ((158)...
  3. E

    I knowing what i'm looking for -- alpha particle colliding with lead nucleus

    Homework Statement An alpha particle with kinetic energy 15.0MeVmakes a collision with lead nucleus, but it is not "aimed" at the center of the lead nucleus, and has an initial nonzero angular momentum (with respect to the stationary lead nucleus) of magnitude L=p0b, where p0 is the magnitude...
  4. F

    Work needed to move alpha particle

    Homework Statement Four electrons are located at the corners of a square 10.0 nm on a side, with an alpha particle at its midpoint. How much work is needed to move the alpha particle to the midpoint of one of the sides of the square? Homework Equations W = PEo-PEf PE (if several point...
  5. Evanish

    Can an Alpha Particle Fuse with a Hydrogen Atom?

    I was wondering if alpha particles created by radioactive decay ever have enough energy to fuse with something else (e.g. hydrogen or another alpha particle).
  6. W

    Prove that alpha = aleph_alpha where

    Define alpha_0 = 0, alpha_n+1 = aleph_alpha_n. Let alpha = sup{alpha_n : n is a natural number). Prove that alpha = aleph_alpha. My attempt: As alpha <= aleph_alpha is obvious, I've been trying to prove the other direction of inequality, so that being both <= and >= implies =, but now I'm not...
  7. julianwitkowski

    Wolfram alpha -- worth it for a beginner to get a wolfram alpha pro acct?

    Is it worth it for a beginner to get a wolfram alpha pro acct? I'm interested in learning math and I find the free tools great. I'm curious as to how people that know how to do math think of wolfram. Do you think having the extended features would be too much for someone at a gr 12 u level...
  8. A

    Isolation of protons and alpha particle

    Hi, I wanted to ionize hydrogen and helium to get protons and alpha particles. I then want to smash the protons into the alpha particles. Is it better to accelerate both the alpha particle and the proton or just keep the alpha particle as a target for the proton to hit? Or is there a better way...
  9. P

    Alpha Particle Spectroscopy - Is My Method Correct?

    Homework Statement Hey, first time poster here, I'm current writing up a lab report I just wanted to check my method is correct. I'm doing alpha particle spectroscopy using a cloud chamber setup. Most published reports seem to vary pressure (so the mass thickness varies). Our chamber let us...
  10. P

    Alpha collision with unknown nucleus

    Homework Statement calculate the mass of an unknown nucleus of mass M_X (initially at rest) if it it is hit by an alpha particle of mass m_xand is deflected by 40 degrees, and the alpha particle is deflected by an angle of 70 degrees. Assume elastic collisions [/B]Homework Equations...
  11. D

    What Happened When Alpha Particles Were Aimed at Gold Foil?

    Between 1909 and 1911 the current model of an atom was Thomson's plum pudding however this was disproved by Rutherford's experiment. So the question is, if Thomson's model was true what would of happened when the alpha particles was aimed at the gold foil?
  12. S

    Astrophysics - triple alpha core Temp

    Homework Statement Explain why stage 1 and 2 of the triple alpha process will not being until the core Temp of the star is around 10^8K. Homework Equations 4He+4He = 8Be (step 1) 8Be+4He = 12C (Step 2) The Attempt at a Solution I "think" I need to work out the nuclear energies... However I...
  13. K

    Answer Gold Beta & Alpha Decay Questions

    Homework Statement Use the periodic table to find the daughter nucleus after a gold nucleus (Au) undergoes beta decay. What would be the result if the gold nucleus had undergone alpha decay instead? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Beta Decay: A=196.96655 Z=80 Au Alpha Decay...
  14. S

    Alpha Decay Half-Lives of Notable Light Isotopes: Estimates and Unknowns

    What is supposed to be the lifetime of lead against alpha decay? Notable light isotopes that DO undergo alpha decay: Be-8 188 keV 7*10ˇ-16 s Sm-146 2529 keV 103*10ˇ6 y U-235 4679 keV 704*10ˇ6 y U-238 4270 keV 4,47*10ˇ9 y Th-232 4083 keV 14,06*10ˇ9 y Sm-147 2310 keV 106,1*10ˇ9 y Pt-190 3252 keV...
  15. Manel

    Alpha Particle Kinetic Energy: Explained

    i'm struggling to understand this: an alpha particle is emitted with a kenetic energy T, if we know the value of the depth of the nuclear potential well V, we find the kenetic energy of the alpha particle inside the nuclei by substructing V-T , would you please explain this to me? Thank's
  16. A

    Alpha Particle Emission & Neutron Imbalance

    Alpha particle emits when no. of neutrons in an atom are much more... My ques. Is that the no. Of protons and neutrons emitted are same so the substance formed after the reaction should still have much more neutrons than protons.. Infact mathematically the ratio increases.
  17. S

    Kinetic energy of alpha particle in cockroft walton experiment.

    Homework Statement When a 7 3 Li nucleus is bombarded with protons α particles emerge.Calculate the kinetic energy of the alpha particle assuming the kinetic energy of the bombarding proton to be negligible. Given M (7 3 Li)=7.016004a.m.u. M (p)=1.007826a.m.u and M (α)=4.002603a.m.u. Homework...
  18. M

    Alpha and beta rays: are they acting as wave?

    Hi everyone I have a question and that question is" are alpha and beta and also gamma rays behavior is similar to a wave ?" For example if we set up an experiment as same as Young's interference experiment, are these rays acting as same as light in this experiment. Thanks
  19. S

    Q-value and kinetic energy of alpha particle in alpha decay.

    Homework Statement The nuclear masses of parent and daughter nuclei are Mp= 226.025 amu and Md=222.017 amu.Mass of alpha particle is Mα=4.002amu.Find qvalue and kinetic energy of alpha particle emitted for the alpha decay. Homework Equations Q=(Mp -Md-Mα)amu...1 Assuming nucleus to be at rest...
  20. W

    An alpha particle is at rest at the origin of a Cartesian coordinate system

    Homework Statement An alpha particle (the nucleus of a helium atom) is at rest at the origin of a Cartesian coordinate system. A proton is moving with a velocity of v towards the alpha particle in the xˆ direction. If the proton is initially far enough away to have no potential energy, how...
  21. B

    Minimum kinetic energy of an Alpha particle confined to a nucleus

    Homework Statement http://puu.sh/bz0km/092f2d8781.png Homework Equations h^2/2ma^2 The Attempt at a Solution I've found the uncertainty of the kinetic energy through many means, and I'm confident that it's .052MeV. The easiest method that gave me this answer was: using...
  22. CivilSigma

    Solving for Alpha in Mechanics: Trig Formulas and Force Components

    So I have a mechanics question 2.65 of which I have deduced the following : x-Component of all forces F1 = 150 cos30 F2= 150 cos \alpha F3 = 150 cos(\alpha+50) y-Components of all forces F1 = -150 sin30 F2 = 150 sin \alpha F3 = 150 cos(50-\alpha) Finally, R = \sqrt{(\Sigma Fx)^2 + (\Sigma...
  23. Etheryte

    How to detect alpha radiation without a counter?

    Alright if I have an object that's completely constituted of alpha radiation particles (emitting the +2 charge nucleus of a hydrogen atom), how would that be accurately detected taking into consideration that I don't have a Griegor Counter on hand? Americium-241
  24. O

    Alpha Rays and the Movement of Atoms' Nucleus

    I don't know much thing about rays. When I was studying Rutherford experiment, I saw that nucleus scattered the alpha rays with Coulomb forces, and naturally the opposite forces effect the nucleus. So do the nucles of atom moves to the direction of alpha rays' first direction?
  25. S

    Find the speed of the alpha particle after the reaction

    Homework Statement For the nuclear reaction, 1 neutron (1/0n) + 10/5B → 7/3L + 4/2He (alpha particle) assume that the initial kinetic energy and momentum of the reacting particles are negligible. Calculate the speed of the alpha particle immediately after it leaves the reaction. Homework...
  26. M

    Can we "fill" an atom with alpha particles?

    The following passage has been extracted from the book "Modern's abc of Chemistry": Lets fill an isolated atom by subatomic "Rutherford projectiles"-alpha particles. I hope it is possible. This doesn't seem to be a limit of our technology. Isn't it? If we are successful in...
  27. T

    The formation of shockwaves and the role of Alpha particles in ICF

    I have three questions about ICF, in the explanations i have read on the internet about ICF they all explain that the top layer of the pellet or the ablator is heated till it explodes and produces a reaction force which compress the D+T fuel. They then say shock waves are formed due to the...
  28. G

    Alpha particle approaching gold nucleus

    An alpha particle is thrown toward a gold nucleus. An alpha particle has two neutrons and two protons and a load module 2e, where "e" is the electron charge, while the gold nucleus has 79 protons and a load module 79e. What is the minimum kinetic energy that the alpha particle must have in order...
  29. matineesuxxx

    Speed of conical pendulum at angle alpha to horizontal

    Homework Statement Assuming we know the length of the string L, radius of the swept out circle r, angle formed by string and centre of circle, \theta, and angle the swept out circle is to the horizontal, \alpha, what is the speed, v, of the mass if it is constant? picture...
  30. T

    Acceleration differences between an Alpha Particle and an Electron.

    Homework Statement On the diagram below, draw vectors to show the magnitude and direction of the electric forces acting between an alpha particle and an electron. (++) (-) (I can do that bit) Hence state and explain which of the two particles will experience great acceleration...
  31. Q

    Proving that an alpha particle is a boson

    1. Is there any way to prove that the alpha particle is a boson (its total wave function is symmetric), given that it's made up of two protons (fermions) and two neutrons (fermions)? Homework Equations The total wave function for two identical particles that are (bosons) ψ_tot = 1/√2 * (ψ_a...
  32. A

    Radius of curvature R of alpha particle beam

    Homework Statement Homework Equations r=mv/qb mv=sqrt(2*KE*m(alpha)) m(alpha)=6.64e-27 kg The Attempt at a Solution i was just wondering how to get the answer (7.6e-4 m). i get path curving down, and do r=sqrt(2*1e3eV*6.64e-27kg*1.6e-19J/eV)/(q*B) =15.18e-4m so to get the...
  33. T

    Momentum Formula for Alpha Decay

    [Mentor's note: this thread does not use the standard homework-help template, because it was started in one of the non-homework forums. It was moved here because it had already gotten some help.] Hi everyone. This isn't a homework question, as I am just revising notes for my exams, and after...
  34. majid313mirzae

    Alpha & Proton Decay: Explaining Unequal Rates

    All nuclei with A > 210 are alpha emitters, yet very few emit protons spontaneously. Yet both decays lower the Coulomb energy of the nucleus. Why is proton decay not more common?
  35. LotusTK

    Homework Question - Beta and Alpha decay

    Hi, i am new here. Thought it would be good to sign up as i have just started hitting the books in preparation for my AS Level exams. So this is my first question. I think i may have done this question correctly, but i was just seeing what other people think as i am not 100% sure about it...
  36. M

    Can this diagram make any sense? [counts of alpha decay]

    Hello all you physics folks, this is my first post, so if I screw this up, go easy on me :) Here's the problem I'm working on and that I simply can't get my head wrapped around: I have a table of 10 values of counts per second (cps) of alpha decay of Americium-241, depending on the...
  37. E

    Checking my reasoning on deriving fine sructure constant alpha

    Homework Statement From Bohr’s model of hydrogen atom, derive the ratio of the electron velocity in the ground state of hydrogen atom to the speed of light, which is the fine structure constant α, in terms of fundamental physical constants such as h, m, and c. Homework Equations...
  38. D

    The last Beta and alpha for BJTs

    Thank you for any help that you can offer. Did I answer the questions? Homework Statement What is the minimum value of Beta which would cause a source? current source? https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/1959374_10151945917195919_465523700_n.jpg Homework Equations Beta =...
  39. S

    Help With Finding The Speed of an Alpha Particle

    Hey guys, I am having a hard time solving for this problem, and I can't seem to figure out what I am doing wrong. Homework Statement In the form of radioactive decay known as alpha decay, an unstable nucleus emits a helium-atom nucleus, which is called an alpha particle. An alpha particle...
  40. E

    MHB Tracking Kool-Aid Through Lakes Alpha & Beta

    Suppose the clean water of a stream flows into Lake Alpha, then into Lake Beta, and then further downstream. The in and out flow for each lake is 500 liters per hour. Lake Alpha contains 400 thousand liters of water, and Lake Beta contains 200 thousand liters of water. A truck with 200 kilograms...
  41. C

    Exploring the Origins of Helium: From Earth's Depths to Laboratory Cylinders

    As a radioactive sample decays in a glass vacuum container, and the released alpha particles collide with the glass, would it be correct to assume that the particles "bounce around?"
  42. T

    Does fusion nuclear reaction produce alpha ridation

    does fusion nuclear reaction produce alpha and jamma ridation or just alpha
  43. J

    Integral after alpha parametrization

    I have been stuck on the following double integral for some time: ∫(0 to inf) dα1 ∫(0 to inf) dα2 a1^(n1) * exp(-i (α1+α2) m^2) * (α1+α2)^(n2) which arose after using alpha paremetrization on a Feynman integral. I was advised by my supervisor to use the substitution α1 = 1/2 (t+u) and α2 = 1/2...
  44. E

    Alpha Decay, Binding Energy and fusion

    Hi there, When an alpha particle is formed inside a nucleus by binding together is this essentially nuclear fusion occurring? Why is this more likely to happen in a large nucleus than a small one? Thanks
  45. N

    Ratio of flight times at angles 45degree +/- alpha

    Homework Statement Consider two projectiles launched on level ground with the same speed, at angles 45°\pm \alpha. Show that the ratio of their flight times is tan 45°\pm \alpha. The Attempt at a Solution projectile 1 launched at Θ = 45° + \alpha: vyf1 = vyi1 + gt tapex1 =...
  46. C

    Speed of proton and alpha particle

    Homework Statement An alpha particle (4 times the mass of a proton with a charge of +2e) is at rest 1.0 * 10^-12 m from a stationary proton. The 2 particles immediately move apart. Find the speed of each particle when they are infinitely far from each other. Homework Equations...
  47. Saitama

    MHB Plotting complex equations on the Argand plane with Wolfram Alpha

    I am wondering how one would go about drawing graphs in Argand plane using Wolfram Alpha. For instance, I want to plot an ellipse $|z-1|+|z+1|=5$ using W|A, what should be the input? Simply entering $|z-1|+|z+1|=5$ doesn't give what I want. Thanks!
  48. J

    Wolfram alpha giving wrong solutions?(link)

    So yeah, Just using wolfram to help draw a nice function, when this happens: http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=x%5E2%2Fln(x) It shows a real part under zero, when the function given, x^2/ln(x) has no real solution under zero ! It's domain being: Dm(f) = ]0;1[U]1;infinity[ need...
  49. A

    Statistics: describing a best critical region of size alpha.

    Homework Statement Suppose a sample of size 10 is drawn from a distribution with probability density function ##f(x, \theta) = 2x^{\theta}(1-x)^{1-\theta}## if ##0<x<1## and ##0## otherwise, where ##\theta \in \{0,1\}##. Describe a best critical region of size ##\alpha## for testing ##H_0 ...
  50. A

    Calculating Kinetic Energy of an Alpha Particle

    Homework Statement could you help me for the question b? Homework Equations E = mc^2 The Attempt at a Solution the mass of the alpha particle is 0.66466 x 10^-26 kg >> 4.022 u put it into the equation, so E = 4.022 x c x c = 3.615 x 10^17 eV >> 0.0579 joule my answer is that, but my...
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