What particle is produced by the decay of thorium-214 to radium-210?

Key Concepts

Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. This can occur in various forms, including alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay. Understanding this concept is crucial for identifying the type of particle emitted during the decay of a specific isotope.

Alpha Particle

An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, making it identical to a helium nucleus. It is a common product of alpha decay, where heavy nuclei, such as thorium-214, emit alpha particles to achieve a more stable configuration. Recognizing the characteristics of alpha particles helps in predicting the products of nuclear reactions.

Nuclear Reaction Equations

Nuclear reaction equations represent the transformation of one element into another through decay processes. They balance the mass and atomic numbers of the reactants and products. In the case of thorium-214 decaying to radium-210, writing and analyzing the nuclear equation allows us to identify the emitted particle and understand the conservation laws in nuclear chemistry.