<P> 6973664465723000000 ♠ 6.644 657 230 (82) × 10 kg 7000400150617912700 ♠ 4.001 506 179 127 (63) u </P> <Tr> <Th> Electric charge </Th> <Td> 2 e </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Spin </Th> <Td> 0 </Td> </Tr> <P> Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium - 4 nucleus . They are generally produced in the process of alpha decay, but may also be produced in other ways . Alpha particles are named after the first letter in the Greek alphabet, α . The symbol for the alpha particle is α or α . Because they are identical to helium nuclei, they are also sometimes written as He 2 + or 4 2He2 + indicating a helium ion with a + 2 charge (missing its two electrons). If the ion gains electrons from its environment, the alpha particle becomes a normal (electrically neutral) helium atom 4 2He . </P>

Where do alpha and beta particles come from