Fill in the Blank QuestionFill in the blank question.A particle that is composed of two protons and two neutrons is called a(n) particle.

A particle that is composed of two protons and two neutrons is called an alpha particle.

Explanation:

Alpha particles are a type of ionizing radiation ejected by certain types of radioactive decay. They consist of two protons and two neutrons, which is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom. This composition gives alpha particles a positive charge, as they contain two positively charged protons. Due to their relatively large mass and charge, alpha particles do not penetrate materials as deeply as other forms of radiation, such as beta or gamma radiation, but can cause significant damage to biological tissue when ingested or inhaled. This unique nature of alpha particles is employed in various applications, including medical treatments for cancer and in smoke detectors, where they ionize air molecules to detect smoke.