Radon - 222 emits an alpha particle. What would its new atomic number and identity be?
Radon-222 (222 86Rn)
A. Francium - 223
B. Radium - 226
C. Astatine - 221
D. Polonium - 218
The atomic number is decreased by 2 because an alpha particle has two protons. Therefore, the new atomic number would be 84. The identity of the new atom would be Polonium-218 (218 84Po).
The correct answer is D. Polonium-218.
When Radon-222 (222 86Rn) emits an alpha particle, it loses two protons and two neutrons. This means its atomic number decreases by 2, resulting in a new element.
The correct answer is D. Polonium - 218 (218 84Po).