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why does an alpha particle have the smallest distance to an atom if it aprroaches the nucleus head on?
An alpha particle collision is when an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons, collides with a nucleus of an atom.
The distance between the alpha particle and nucleus determines the strength of the collision. If the distance is too far, the collision may not occur, but if the distance is too close, there may be a repulsive force between the particles. Therefore, a certain distance is needed for a successful collision.
The distance between the alpha particle and nucleus is affected by the size of the particles and the amount of energy they have. The size of the particles can be affected by the atomic number and mass of the elements involved, while the energy can be affected by the velocity of the particles.
During an alpha particle collision, the alpha particle can either be absorbed by the nucleus, resulting in nuclear transmutation, or it can scatter off the nucleus, changing its direction and possibly losing some of its energy.
The distance between the alpha particle and nucleus can be measured using various techniques, such as scattering experiments or by analyzing the energy levels of the particles before and after the collision. These measurements can provide valuable information about the structure and properties of the particles involved.