The nuclear equation :
₈₈Ra²²⁸ ⇒ ₋₁e⁰ + ₈₉Ac²²⁸
Further explanation
Radioactivity is the process of unstable isotopes to stable isotopes by decay, by emitting certain particles,
- alpha α particles ₂He⁴
- beta β ₋₁e⁰ particles
- gamma particles ₀γ⁰
- positron particles ₁e⁰
- neutron ₀n¹
The sum of the mass number and atomic number before and after decay is the same
Ra = Radium ⇒alkaline earth, group 2, block s, period 7
Atomic mass = 88
If an element releases an β ₋₁e⁰, the atomic number of the new element increases by 1
The new element will have an atomic number: 88+1=89 and mass number 288
The element having the atomic number 89 is Actinium(Ac)
So the nuclear equation :
₈₈Ra²²⁸ ⇒ ₋₁e⁰ + ₈₉Ac²²⁸