Question

Calculate How much heavier is an alpha particle than an electron?

Short answer

An alpha particle is approximately 7345 times heavier than an electron.

Step-by-step solution

Find the mass of an alpha particle

To find the mass of an alpha particle, we need to add the masses of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. We know that the mass of a proton is approximately \(1.67 \times 10^{-27}\) kg, and the mass of a neutron is approximately \(1.675 \times 10^{-27}\) kg. Therefore, the sum of the masses would be: \[2(1.67 \times 10^{-27}\ \text{kg}) + 2(1.675 \times 10^{-27}\ \text{kg})\]

Calculate the mass of an alpha particle

Now that we know the masses of protons and neutrons, we can calculate the mass of the alpha particle: \[2(1.67 \times 10^{-27}\ \text{kg}) + 2(1.675 \times 10^{-27}\ \text{kg}) = 3.34 \times 10^{-27}\ \text{kg} + 3.35 \times 10^{-27}\ \text{kg} = 6.69 \times 10^{-27}\ \text{kg}\] So, the mass of an alpha particle is approximately \(6.69 \times 10^{-27}\ \text{kg}\).

Determine the mass of an electron

The mass of an electron is already known and is approximately: \(9.11 \times 10^{-31}\ \text{kg}\)

Calculate the ratio between the mass of an alpha particle and an electron

To find how much heavier an alpha particle is than an electron, we need to divide the mass of the alpha particle by the mass of the electron: \[\frac{6.69 \times 10^{-27}\ \text{kg}}{9.11 \times 10^{-31}\ \text{kg}}\]

Simplify the ratio

Now that we have the ratio, we can simplify to get the final answer: \[\frac{6.69 \times 10^{-27}\ \text{kg}}{9.11 \times 10^{-31}\ \text{kg}} \approx 7345\] Thus, an alpha particle is approximately 7345 times heavier than an electron.

Key concepts

Mass of Proton

Protons are one of the fundamental building blocks of matter. They reside in the center of atoms, known as the nucleus. Each proton has a positive electrical charge. Understanding the mass of a proton is essential for calculating the total mass of atomic particles like the alpha particle. A proton's mass is approximately \(1.67 \times 10^{-27}\) kilograms. This mass is slightly less than that of a neutron, which also makes up the atomic nucleus.

Mass of Neutron

Neutrons are neutral particles, meaning they have no electric charge. Alongside protons, they are crucial components of an atom's nucleus. The mass of a neutron is slightly greater than that of a proton, measured as approximately \(1.675 \times 10^{-27}\) kilograms. This tiny difference in mass may seem small, but it plays a significant role in nuclear reactions and stability of the nucleus. Together with protons, they give the nucleus the majority of its mass.

Mass of Electron

Electrons are much smaller in mass compared to protons and neutrons. They are subatomic particles with a negative electrical charge that orbit the nucleus of an atom. The exact mass of an electron is about \(9.11 \times 10^{-31}\) kilograms. Although electrons contribute very little to the mass of an atom, they are vital for chemical bonding and electricity. Their small mass compared to the proton and neutron is a key factor in many physical and chemical processes.

Atomic Particles

Atoms are the basic units of matter and consist of three main types of particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons form the dense central nucleus, while electrons orbit around this nucleus. The properties and behavior of atoms are determined by these components:

• The nucleus is the heart of the atom, containing protons and neutrons.
• Electrons zoom around the nucleus and determine the atom's chemical properties.
• The balance between these particles ensures the stability of atoms and the formation of matter as we experience it.

Understanding these particles helps to grasp how different elements interact and combine to form compounds and various substances.

Particle Mass Comparison

Comparing the masses of protons, neutrons, and electrons provides insights into the structure of atoms. In most atoms:

• Protons and neutrons have nearly identical masses, making them the heavyweight particles in the nucleus.
• Electrons are incredibly lighter, being about 1836 times less massive than protons.
• This mass difference emphasizes why the nucleus of an atom largely accounts for its mass while electrons are responsible for chemical interactions.

Using this knowledge, we calculated how much heavier the alpha particle is compared to an electron, finding that the alpha particle is approximately 7345 times more massive. Such comparisons help in understanding the scale and magnitude of forces within the atom, influencing everything from chemical reactions to nuclear processes.