Question

Which of the following is responsible for the most occurence of helium on Earth?

• A. Gamma decay
• B. Nuclear fusion
• C. Alpha decay
• D. Positron emission
• E. Nuclear fission

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Alpha decay

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle. An alpha particle (or α particle, named after the first letter of the Greek alphabet) consists of two protons and two neutrons bound together. It is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom and may therefore be written as $H{e}^{2+}$.