\(^{226}_{88}Ra\) \(\to\) \(^{222}_{86}Rn\) + X + Energy. The equation above represents a nuclear decay of...

\(^{226}_{88}Ra\) \(\to\) \(^{222}_{86}Rn\) + X + Energy. The equation above represents a nuclear decay of radium isotope. What is X?

Mass Number: The mass number on the left side is 226 (from Ra) and 222 (from Rn) on the right side. Let A be the mass number of X:

226 = 222 + A ⇒ A = 226 - 222 = 4

Atomic Number: The atomic number on the left side is 88 (for Ra) and 86 (for Rn) on the right side. Let Z be the atomic number of X:

88 = 86 + Z ⇒ 88 - 86 = 2

Therefore, X is an alpha particle.

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