Alpha Particle

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Positively charged particle emitted by various radioactive materials during decay. It consists of two neutrons and two protons, and is thus identical to the nucleus of a helium atom. The rest mass of the alpha particle amounts to 6.64424·10^-27 kg, or 3.7273·10⁹ eV. Alpha radiation is the radiation with the lowest penetration potential of the three radiation types (alpha, beta, gamma radiation). Alpha radiation can already be stopped by a sheet of paper and is only dangerous for living creatures if the substance emitting alpha rays is inhaled or ingested with food or enters wounds.

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