What is the charge characteristic of alpha radiation?

Alpha radiation is characterized by the emission of alpha particles, which are essentially helium nuclei. Each alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, giving it a total positive charge of +2. This positive charge arises from the presence of the two protons, which are positively charged. Therefore, when alpha particles are emitted during radioactive decay, they carry this +2 charge with them.

This charge plays a significant role in how alpha radiation interacts with other materials, as positively charged particles can ionize atoms they come into contact with, leading to potential biological effects when alpha radiation is encountered in living tissues. The strong ionizing power of alpha particles is attributable to their charge and mass, making them significantly more impactful compared to other forms of radiation, such as beta particles or gamma rays.