Today we will talk about what is the alpha decay and how it can be explained in terms of classical and alternative theories.The existence of the material world is only possible thanks to the fact that the structure of which is any substance, possess sufficient stability.The forces that bind together the particles in atoms, are the basis for ensuring the existence of the entire universe.Current models of atomic devices allow not only to formulate laws, but also to explain many observed phenomena of the microworld.As part of the planetary model of the atom in the center of each is a nucleus that includes protons and neutrons in equal shares.The ratio of protons, neutrons and electrons is represented as a 1: 1: 1.It is only at first glance seems impossible, but in fact this relationship is the result of one of the key laws of the universe: the electric charge of the electron is -1, one protons and neutrons, being the union of two smaller oppositely charged elements in general are electrically (by the way, hence the name).
Due to the Coulomb forces in the nucleus, protons repel each other, but balancing the strong interaction holding the particles together.What is the alpha decay?The mechanism of its occurrence is very simple: if the protons are drifting apart, the force becomes greater elektroottalkivaniya strong interaction, which leads to the formation of the core and lighter particles.The reasons for the initial distancing diverse - it can be both external influences and characteristics of nuclear structure (entropy factor).
collapse of world
until 1896 it was believed that atoms are indivisible, and the structure of each characteristic of any particular substance.But Becquerel (sometimes indicated Rutherford), who studied uranium salts, discovered the phenomenon of radioactivity than has questioned many of the tenets of the atomic theory of the time.Alpha decay is the emission of positively charged particles - nuclei of helium-4.It is noted that this process is characterized primarily for the nuclei of heavy elements.One of the characteristics of alpha particles it is a double positive charge.This is due to the fact that the structure is missing two electrons.The total charge thus obtained equal to 2.Alpha decay, Rutherford studied.He determined that such a structure of the particle (2 protons + 2 neutrons) are very stable and, in theory, most of the other core would have to disintegrate into such particles and nuclei of lighter elements.However, this does not happen.Rutherford suggested that any nuclear change is possible only when hit by an atom of helium (alpha particles) or high-energy electrons (beta particles).Subsequently, it was confirmed, but it took ten years of research and introduction of new concepts of quantum mechanics - the tunnel junction.
Overcoming barriers
As indicated above, stable structure - the alpha particle.Charge it ranges from 2 to 10 MeV.In order to enable it to penetrate the base of the atom, it is necessary to overcome the force of electrical repulsion (since there are protons in the nucleus and particles).This is the same barrier after the passage of which are already beginning to dominate the intranuclear force of gravity.The laws of the microworld are different from our usual, so in some cases to go through the wall, not necessarily to destroy it.By means of the tunnel junction is possible to overcome the barrier.The smaller the difference between the energy of the particle and the cost of the passage, the higher the probability of overcoming the repulsive.For most nuclei the possibility of a tunnel junction is so small that they can be considered stable formations.Others, under certain conditions, allow the penetration of the outside (and inside the outflow) of an alpha particle.
