The electrical charge of an alpha particle is:

An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, which means it has a net charge of +2. This positive charge arises because protons carry a charge of +1 each, and since there are two protons in an alpha particle, their combined charge is +2. The neutrons do not contribute to the electrical charge as they are neutral.

In the context of radiological work, understanding the charge of alpha particles is important since their positive charge influences how they interact with matter. For example, the +2 charge of alpha particles can lead to strong interactions with electrons in materials, making them less penetrating than other types of radiation, such as beta particles, which carry a negative charge, or gamma rays, which are neutral. Therefore, alpha particles are often stopped by a sheet of paper or even the outer dead layer of human skin, highlighting the significance of their charge in practical applications and safety measures in radiation environments.