which nuclear reaction modeled in the equations below would release an alpha decay particle?\n$^{14}_{6}c\\ri…

which nuclear reaction modeled in the equations below would release an alpha decay particle?\n$^{14}_{6}c\\rightarrow^{14}_{7}n + ___$\n$^{42}_{19}k\\rightarrow^{42}_{19}k + ___$\n$^{226}_{88}ra\\rightarrow^{222}_{86}rn + ___$\n$^{2}_{1}h+^{2}_{1}h\\rightarrow^{3}_{2}he + ___$

which nuclear reaction modeled in the equations below would release an alpha decay particle?\n$^{14}_{6}c\\rightarrow^{14}_{7}n + ___$\n$^{42}_{19}k\\rightarrow^{42}_{19}k + ___$\n$^{226}_{88}ra\\rightarrow^{222}_{86}rn + ___$\n$^{2}_{1}h+^{2}_{1}h\\rightarrow^{3}_{2}he + ___$

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Recall alpha - decay definition

Alpha - decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle ($^{4}_{2}He$). In alpha - decay, the mass number of the parent nucleus decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2.

Step2: Analyze each option

For $^{14}{6}C\rightarrow^{14}{7}N+...$, the mass number remains the same (14), so it's not alpha - decay. For $^{42}{19}K\rightarrow^{42}{19}K+...$, the mass number and atomic number of the parent and daughter nuclei are the same, so it's not alpha - decay. For $^{226}{88}Ra\rightarrow^{222}{86}Rn+...$, the mass number of the parent nucleus ($^{226}{88}Ra$) is 226 and of the daughter nucleus ($^{222}{86}Rn$) is 222 (a decrease of 4), and the atomic number of the parent is 88 and of the daughter is 86 (a decrease of 2). This is an alpha - decay, and the emitted particle is $^{4}{2}He$. For $^{2}{1}H+^{2}{1}H\rightarrow^{3}{2}He+...$, this is a fusion reaction, not alpha - decay.

Answer:

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