The nuclide symbol for radioactive radium is 88226Ra^{226}_{88}\text{Ra}88226Ra.
A nucleus of this type of radium emits an α\alphaα-particle.
What is the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus after it has emitted the α\alphaα-particle?
84
86
88
90
484 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.2 Radioactivity, covering 5.2.1 Background radiation and measuring count rate, 5.2.2a Alpha, beta and gamma emission, 5.2.2b Deflection and ionising effects of nuclear radiation, 5.2.3a Radioactive decay, 5.2.3b Effects of decay on the nucleus and decay equations, 5.2.4a Half-life, 5.2.4b Choosing isotopes for applications, and 5.2.5 Effects of ionising radiation and safety precautions. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.