Question

Write the nuclear reaction equation for the alpha decay of the 88226Ra.

Answer 1

Hint
Materials that consist of unstable atoms that undergo the nuclear phenomenon of radioactivity such that they emit radiations during the decay process, are referred to as radioactive materials. Radium is ${}_{88}^{226}{\rm{Ra}}$ is a radioactive element that undergoes the process of nuclear decay while emitting a helium nucleus or alpha particle.

Complete step by step answer
One type of radioactive decay is alpha decay in which the nucleus of a radioactive element undergoes decay while emitting a helium nucleus that is referred to as an alpha particle. The nuclear reaction equation for the alpha decay of the given element i.e. ${}_{88}^{226}{\rm{Ra}}$ is as follows:
${}_{88}^{226}{\rm{Ra}} \to {}_{86}^{222}{\rm{Rn}} + {}_2^4{\rm{He}}$
From the reaction equation, it implies that the radium nucleus emits an alpha particle while transforming to a radon nucleus ${}_{86}^{222}{\rm{Rn}}$, during the decay.

Additional information
Other two types of radioactive decays are beta decay and gamma decay. While undergoing beta decay, the nucleus of a radioactive element emits a high-energy particle i.e. an electron or a positron. This is referred to as a beta particle. Beta decays are further characterized into ${{\rm{\beta }}^ + }$ decay and ${{\rm{\beta }}^ - }$ decay. While undergoing gamma decay, the nucleus of a radioactive element emits high-energy photons having the energy of the order of mega electron volt (MeV).

Note
The alpha decay of the radium-226 nucleus also leads to the lead-214 nucleus but this is achieved during repeated decay processes the radium nucleus undergoes.