Final answer:
Thorium-232 undergoes alpha decay, emitting a helium-4 particle and forming radium-228 as the daughter nuclide in a natural process of nuclear transformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the alpha decay of Thorium-232, a radioactive process transforms the parent nuclide, Thorium-232, into a different element. This decay is characterized by the emission of an alpha particle, which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. The resulting nuclear equation for this process is represented as follows:
Thorium-232 (232 Th) undergoes alpha decay, leading to the formation of Helium-4 (4 He) and Radium-228 (228 Ra) as the daughter nuclide. This transformation is a natural occurrence in certain unstable nuclei seeking a more balanced configuration. The emitted alpha particle carries away excess energy and stabilizes the nucleus by reducing its mass and atomic number. Radium-228, the daughter nuclide produced in this decay, may further undergo its own radioactive processes, contributing to a chain of nuclear reactions.
Understanding such decay sequences is crucial in the study of nuclear physics and plays a key role in various scientific and technological applications.