Alpha Particles (also known as Alpha Particle, Particle, Alpha): Positively charged particles composed of two protons and two NEUTRONS, i.e. equivalent to HELIUM nuclei, which are emitted during disintegration of heavy ISOTOPES. Alpha rays have very strong ionizing power, but weak penetrability.

NIH MeSH · D000512Phenomena and Processes

Alpha Particles

Also known asAlpha Particle · Particle, Alpha · Particles, Alpha · Alpha Rays · Alpha Ray · Ray, Alpha · Rays, Alpha · Alpha Radiation · Radiation, Alpha

Definition

Positively charged particles composed of two protons and two NEUTRONS, i.e. equivalent to HELIUM nuclei, which are emitted during disintegration of heavy ISOTOPES. Alpha rays have very strong ionizing power, but weak penetrability.

MeSH classification

  • G01.750.750.055

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Related concepts

Background Radiation

Radiation from sources other than the source of interest. It is due to cosmic rays and natural radioactivity in the environment.

Beta Particles

High energy POSITRONS or ELECTRONS ejected from a disintegrating atomic nucleus.

Common questions about Alpha Particles

What does Alpha Particles mean in medicine?
Positively charged particles composed of two protons and two NEUTRONS, i.e. equivalent to HELIUM nuclei, which are emitted during disintegration of heavy ISOTOPES. Alpha rays have very strong ionizing power, but weak penetrability. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Alpha Particles known by any other names?
Yes. Alpha Particles is also referred to as Alpha Particle, Particle, Alpha, Particles, Alpha, Alpha Rays in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Alpha Particles sit in the medical classification?
Alpha Particles falls under the broader medical category "Phenomena and Processes" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: G01.750.750.055). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Alpha Particles?
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Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D000512) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗