Which of the following represents the nuclear equation showing alpha decay of a radium-226 nucleus?

1 answer

The nuclear equation representing the alpha decay of a radium-226 (\(^{226}\text{Ra}\)) nucleus can be written as follows:

\[ ^{226}{88}\text{Ra} \rightarrow ^{222}{86}\text{Rn} + ^4_2\text{He} \]

In this equation:

  • \(^{226}_{88}\text{Ra}\) is the radium-226 nucleus.
  • \(^{222}_{86}\text{Rn}\) is the radon-222 nucleus, which is the daughter nucleus.
  • \(^{4}_{2}\text{He}\) represents the alpha particle emitted during the decay process.

This equation shows that when radium-226 undergoes alpha decay, it loses an alpha particle and transforms into radon-222.