Three alpha particles are lost.
The process by which unstable nuclei emit radiation and lose energy is called radioactive decay. If a material contains an unstable core, it is considered radioactive.
There are three basic types of radioactive decay, Decay of alpha, beta and gamma. Radioactivity can be measured by counting decays per second.
Explanation:
Six protons are lost when atomic number 88 decays to atomic number 82.
The following explains whether the radioactive decay process leads to the loss of six protons.
1. One Alpha and one beta particles: Alpha particles have two protons and beta particles have one electron. So this is not a loss of 6 protons.
2. Three alpha particles: Alpha particles have two protons. So when 3 alpha particles decay, 6 protons are lost.
3. One Alpha particle: An alpha particle has two protons, so six protons are never lost.
4. Six Beta Particles: A beta particle has 1 electron, therefore 6 protons will be gained during the decay.
Therefore, three alpha particles is correct because when three of them are lost, six protons are lost.
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