Question

Radium decays to form radon. Which equation correctly describes this decay? Superscript 226 Subscript 88 Baseline Upper R a right arrow Superscript 222 Subscript 84 Baseline Upper R n + Superscript 4 Subscript 4 Baseline Upper H e Superscript 226 Subscript 88 Baseline Upper R a right arrow Superscript 222 Subscript 86 Baseline Upper R n + Superscript 0 Subscript negative 1 Baseline e Superscript 226 Subscript 88 Baseline Upper R a right arrow Superscript 222 Subscript 86 Baseline Upper R n + Superscript 0 Subscript + 1 Baseline e Superscript 226 Subscript 88 Baseline Upper R a right arrow Superscript 222 Subscript 86 Baseline Upper R n + Superscript 4 Subscript 2 Baseline Upper H e

Answer 1

Answer: 226 Subscript 88 Baseline Upper R a right arrow Superscript 222 Subscript 86 Baseline Upper R n + Superscript 4 Subscript 2 Baseline Upper H e

Explanation:

Alpha decay : When a larger nuclei decays into smaller nuclei by releasing alpha particle. In this process, the mass number and atomic number is reduced by 4 and 2 units respectively.

The general representation of alpha decay reaction is:

$^{A}_{Z}\textrm{X}\rightarrow ^{A-4}_{Z-2}\textrm {Rn}+ ^{4}_{2}\textrm{He}$

Representation of Radium decays to form Radon

$^{226}_{88}\textrm{Ra}\rightarrow ^{222}_{86}\textrm {Rn}+ ^{4}_{2}\textrm{He}$

Thus 226 Subscript 88 Baseline Upper R a right arrow Superscript 222 Subscript 86 Baseline Upper R n + Superscript 4 Subscript 2 Baseline Upper H e represents alpha decay.