When a particle decays and spits off some alpha radiation why doesnt it take with it some of the electrons from its parent particle? I would expect the electrons to "stick" to the helium nucleus and travel with it.

I am guessing it is a matter of moment. The alpha particle flys off at such speed the resting moment of the electrons may make it so they cant follow it... but considering that electrons arent at "rest" and that they have very very little mass I question myself on this answer.

@freemo I can't remember a whole lot but I believe that this very question helped lead to the development of quantum mechanics. Ugh now I'm going to have to go read about it.

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@brianvastag Perhaps... I thought it was the peizo electric effect that was the big start of it all.

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