Alpha Radiation!!! Above is an image of a 106 Tellurium undergoing alpha decay to become 102 Sn, (Tin). What is Alpha Radiation? Alpha radiation is the emission of alpha particles from unstable atoms. An alpha particle is actually made up of two protons and two neutrons held tightly together just the the nucleus of any atom. They have no electrons surrounding them, which gives the the ability to smash into other atoms and disrupt them. Q&A Student - �But, are you saying Apha particles are just two protons and two neutrons together?� Teacher - �Yes!� Student - �Helium is just two protons and two neutrons... are you saying alpha radiation is helium?� Teacher - �No... Helium is just two protons and two neutrons, but it also has two electrons orbiting it.� Teacher - �If you stripped those electrons and gave it a good push, it would be alpha radiation!� Student - �WOW! My party balloon was close to alpha, sort of...� Teacher - �Sure, why not. Close enough.� Alpha particles slow down rapidly after leaving their parent atom due to a process called Bremsstrahlung, meaning, �to slow down radiation�. This is one reason alpha radiation only travels a few inches, normally, before stopping. A single piece of paper can stop an alpha particle.