What is a Proton and an Alpha Particle?

What is a Proton?

A proton is a subatomic particle, with a positive electric charge of +1e, and a mass slightly less than that of a neutron. It is one of the two main constituents of the nucleus of an atom, the other being the neutron. It was discovered by Ernest Rutherford in 1906. Protons are found in all atoms, except for hydrogen atoms.

What is an Alpha Particle?

An alpha particle is a type of ionized particle, composed of two protons and two neutrons, which is emitted during the radioactive decay of certain atoms. It has a charge of +2e and a mass of four times the mass of a proton. It was first discovered in 1899 by Ernest Rutherford.

Difference Between a Proton and an Alpha Particle

Charge

The most obvious difference between a proton and an alpha particle is their electric charge. A proton has a charge of +1e, while an alpha particle has a charge of +2e.

Mass

The mass of a proton is slightly less than that of a neutron, while the mass of an alpha particle is four times the mass of a proton. This means that an alpha particle is much heavier than a proton.

Composition

The composition of a proton and an alpha particle is also different. A proton is composed of one proton and one neutron, while an alpha particle is composed of two protons and two neutrons.