α particles are doubly charged ions of ________.

The correct answer is helium.

Key Points

• Alpha Particle
  • α-particles consist of two protons and two neutrons.
  • They are doubly-charged helium ions. Since they have a mass of 4 u, the fast-moving α-particles have considerable energy.
  •  An alpha particle is obtained by removing 2 electrons from a helium atom. So, an alpha particle is a doubly-charged helium ion.
•  Helium:
  • Helium is a chemical element with the symbol He and atomic number 2.
  • It is a colourless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas and the first in the noble gas group in the periodic table.
  •  Its boiling and melting point are the lowest among all the elements.
  • It is the second lightest and most abundant element in the observable universe (hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant).

Additional Information

• Lithium
  • ​Lithium is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number 3.
  • It is a soft, silver-white metal belonging to the alkali metal group of chemical elements.
• ​Beryllium
  • Beryllium is very similar to Aluminium.
  • Beryllium is soft and has a low density.
  • It is used in gears and in alloys with copper or nickel.
  • Beryllium is used in Nuclear Reactors.
  • Oxides of Beryllium have a high melting point.
• Hydrogen​
  • Hydrogen was discovered by Henry Cavendish.
  • Hydrogen gas is called as the fuel of the future.
  • Most abundant element in the universe: Hydrogen.
  • Most abundant element on earth's crust: Oxygen
  • Hydrogen is the 'lightest element' in the periodic table.
  • Lithium is the 'lightest metal' in the periodic table.