# My book uses helium weight in reaction formula instead of weight alpha particle?

I'm suppose to write out reactions where atoms send out alpha radiation and decay. The book uses the 4-2 H, 4 as nucleon number and 2 as proton number, but isn't that wrong? The mass of helium is greater than the alpha particle due to two electrons? Shouldn't they use a different notation for the alpha-particle other than that for helium?

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Hint: The book likely doesn't care about the (relative) error it is making. Why? –  Qmechanic May 20 '12 at 11:19
I get that it's a very small error to make. I thought accuracy was a good thing :( –  Algific May 20 '12 at 11:47
I think the notation you wrote in your question is not what you intended. Apart from that, the difference is small and an alpha particle is a fully ionized helium atom so using the helium notation is not out of the question. In my classwork, I seem to remember people simply using a lowercase alpha as the symbol. –  AdamRedwine May 20 '12 at 15:31