Alpha decay

Figure 1. A model of alpha decay, showing the ejection of an alpha particle from a nucleus.

Alpha decay is a nuclear decay process where an unstable nucleus transmutes and ejects a particle composed of two protons and two neutrons. This ejected particle is known as an alpha particle and is simply a helium nucleus. Alpha particles have a relatively large mass and a positive charge, resulting in a very short penetration range. Because of this, alpha decay is rarely used in external medical radiation therapy.

Alpha decay was originally distinguished from other forms of radiation by Ernest Rutherford by observing the deflection of the radiation through a magnetic field. Alpha decay deflects in the way you would expect a positive particle to since alpha particles have a charge.

The general equation representing alpha decay is:

where:

• is the parent nucleus
• is the daughter nucleus
• is the released alpha particle

Safety

Although not very penetrating, the ingestion of a substance that undergoes alpha decay is harmful as the ejected alpha particles can damage internal tissues very easily despite its short range. This damage is a result of contact with membranes and living cells. Figure 2 shows a diagram that illustrates the different levels of penetration for different types of radiation.

Figure 2. Different penetration levels of different products of decay, with gamma being one of the most highly penetrating and alpha being one of the least penetrating.

Overall, the health effects of alpha particles vary with how the exposure takes place. If the alpha emitter is inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed into the blood stream there can be lasting biological damage. This damage increases a persons risk of cancer. Alpha radiation is known to cause lung cancer in humans if the alpha emitter is inhaled. The inhalation of radon, an alpha emitter, is one of the biggest sources of alpha decay related illness in humans.

Applications and Importance

Radioactive elements that undergo alpha decay are used in smoke detectors. Americium is one frequently used element as it is a major alpha particle source. Inside the smoke detertor alpha particles are released. This in turn ionizes the air inside the detector. Smoke in the detector absorbs this alpha radiation, so if smoke is present the ionization is altered and the alarm is triggered.

As well, alpha particles are used in a process known as Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectroscopy (APXS). This process is used to determine the elemental composition of rocks and soil. NASA used this method in its missions to Mars, including the Pathfinder missions, to determine what elements existed Martian rocks.

Alpha particles do also have some use in the medical field. A new cancer treatment known as targeted alpha therapy or TAT uses alpha decay to kill cancer cells. Lead-212 is ingested and travels to the site of the tumor, then giving off alpha radiation which kills all the cells in the area.

PhET

The University of Colorado has graciously allowed us to use the following PhET simulation. This simulation illustrates how radioactive nuclei decay through alpha decay, and shows the half-life of these atoms.

Click to Run