Thanks, . I just went through one of your post now. Nice narrative style.
Alpha particles can simply be called high speed particles made of two protons and two neutrons binded together by a very strong nuclear force. Its nucleus is the same as that of the atom of helium. A very fast traveling nucleus that has no electrons. It's categorized under ionizing radiation.
Alpha particles are preferred in most of these experiments because they are stable and travel very fast with a great deal of energy. It is said in many textbooks that alpha decay involves emitting alpha particles, which are very stable.
Thanks, for coming by. I'll be looking forward to more of your comments.
RE: The Birth of Elements and the Discovery of the Nucleus.