Alpha (a symbol for various scientific concepts)

"Alpha" (α) is a symbol used in science to represent different concepts depending on the field. In physics and chemistry, it often denotes alpha particles, which are helium nuclei emitted during radioactive decay. In finance, alpha measures an investment's performance relative to a benchmark, indicating its excess return. In mathematics and statistics, it can signify a significance level or a constant parameter. Regardless of context, alpha generally symbolizes a primary or initial value, serving as a foundational indicator or a specific element within a system.