| alpha particle | |
| —n | |
| a helium-4 nucleus, containing two neutrons and two protons, emitted during some radioactive transformations | |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
alpha particle n.
A positively charged nuclear particle, indistinguishable from a helium atom nucleus and consisting of two protons and two neutrons.
| alpha particle
A positively charged particle that consists of two protons and two neutrons bound together. It is emitted by an atomic nucleus undergoing radioactive decay and is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom. Because of their relatively large mass, alpha particles are the slowest and least penetrating forms of nuclear radiation. They can be stopped by a piece of paper. See more at radioactive decay. |