Question

Which of the various particles (α particles, β particles, and so on) that may be produced in a nuclear reaction are actually nuclei?

a) α particles
b) β particles
c) γ particles
d) Protons

Answer 1

Alpha particles and protons are actually nuclei; alpha particles are high-energy helium nuclei and protons are hydrogen nuclei, while beta particles are high-speed electrons and gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation, neither of which are nuclei.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the various particles that may be produced in a nuclear reaction, α particles and protons are actually nuclei. α particles, also known as alpha particles, are high-energy helium nuclei consisting of two protons and two neutrons. Protons are the nuclei of hydrogen atoms.

In contrast, β particles or beta particles are high-speed electrons and are not nuclei. γ particles, gamma rays, are a form of very high-energy electromagnetic radiation and also not nuclei.