Hard scientific evidence confirms the alpha particle has a tetrahedral structure.
the verdict
REFUTED
the evidence says no
refutedsupported
the weight of evidence
0 sources for · 1 against
AS REPORTEDno primary record reached; this is what the reporting says
Available scientific discussions and structural studies indicate that hard evidence for a tetrahedral alpha particle is lacking, with research pointing instead to alternatives such as a 3-base pyramidal configuration.
# Is there any hard scientific evidence that the alpha particle is tetrahedral?
Tags: nuclear-physics, neutrons, strong-force
- Score: 35
- Views: 3937
- Answers: 2
- Answered: yes
- Asked by: John Duffield (11519 rep)
- Asked: 2017-02-04
- Site: physics
## Question
I'm writing a piece on the nuclear force, and I'm struggling with something. I always thought of the alpha particle as something with a tetrahedral disposition. If you search the internet on this there's plenty of hits. Ditto if you search for images:
The alpha particle is usually depicted as a tetrahedral arrangement of two protons and two neutrons. And not just in popscience pictures. Here it is again in a scholarpedia article clusters in nuclei by Professor Martin Freer. He says things like the alpha+alpha cluster structure is found in the ground state of 8Be, and gives this depiction showing the arrangement of four alpha particle clusters in the nucleus 16O:
However I'm struggling to find any hard scientific evidence of the tetrahedral disposition or configuration of the alpha particle. So my question is this:
Is there any hard scientific evidence that the alpha particle is tetrahedral?
## Answers
### Answ