Question

Is the following nuclear equation balanced?

`226/88 Ra -> 222/86 Rn + 4/2 He`

Answer 1

Yes

Explanation:

An alpha particle is the equivalent of an atom of helium. So this means that when an alpha particle is ejected from the nucleus of an atom, a mass number of 4 and an atomic number of 2 is lost.

226 - 4 = 222
88 - 2 = 86

The equation is, therefore, balanced.