Source: wikibot/alpha-decay
= Alpha decay
{wiki=Alpha_decay}
Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an unstable atomic nucleus releases an alpha particle and transforms into a lighter nucleus. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, essentially making it identical to a helium nucleus. During alpha decay, the original nucleus (parent nucleus) loses these two protons and two neutrons, causing the atomic number to decrease by 2 and the mass number to decrease by 4.