Asked in ETEA MDCAT 2010 2010Moderate

When an alpha particle is emitted by radium 88Ra226 the daughter nucleus is radon the mass number and charge number of which will be:

Correct answer: B. 86Rn^222

  • A. 90Rn^220
  • B. 86Rn^222
  • C. 89Rn^226
  • D. 90Rn^222

Explanation

When an alpha particle is emitted, the mass number of the daughter nucleus will decrease by 4, and the charge number will decrease by 2. Therefore, the resulting radon nucleus will have a mass number of 222 and a charge number of +86, which is 86Rn^222.

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About Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is the spontaneous transformation of unstable nuclei, described by decay constant, activity, half life and the exponential decay law. Work includes alpha, beta and gamma emissions, decay equations and remaining nuclei, with half life distinguished from the time required for complete decay.

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