Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution
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Correct Answer: Option (B) — an atom of helium
Concept & Option Breakdown
Standard Reference VerifiedAn alpha particle is a helium nucleus (⁴He²⁺), consisting of two protons and two neutrons bound together. Since the mass of two orbital electrons is negligible compared to nucleon mass, the mass of an alpha particle is almost exactly equal to that of a neutral helium atom.
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