Combined Science GCSE
Alpha radiation
What Alpha radiation means in Combined Science GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definition of Alpha radiation
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Alpha radiation in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
A helium nucleus, 2 protons and 2 neutrons, with charge 2⁺; it is highly ionising but stopped by a few centimetres of air or a sheet of paper.
Topics that use Alpha radiation
- Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- Activity
- Becquerel
- Beta radiation
- Count rate
- Gamma radiation
- Ionising radiation safety
- Random nature of radioactive decay
- Source selection
Using Alpha radiation in the exam
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