Radon 222 What is really going on?

[radonbc]

Are the Alpha particles in the Rn 222 decay process actually new particles or something like Helium atoms with the electrons knocked off.

 

[e.bar.goum]

Are the Alpha particles in the Rn 222 decay process actually new particles or something like Helium atoms with the electrons knocked off.

It's not just ²²²Rn that decays via alpha emission! Every isotope marked in yellow in this nuclear chart (which is like an expanded periodic table, number of protons on the y axis, neutrons on the x) http://www.nndc.bnl.gov/chart/reColor.jsp?newColor=dm decays via alpha emission.

Now, we call the particles emitted by a nucleus (²²²Rn-> ²¹⁸Po + $\alpha$) alpha particles, but you are correct, they have the same thing as a helium nucleus. It's the same thing with "beta" decay - beta particles are electrons. Similarly "Beta plus" decay is positron emission. It's just a historical thing.

 

[radonbc]

Great thanks, I get that other elements emit Alpha decay but are they creating new particles or changing existing particles. Where does the Alpha particle come from.

 

[e.bar.goum]

Great thanks, I get that other elements emit Alpha decay but are they creating new particles or changing existing particles. Where does the Alpha particle come from.

The decay of the ²²²Rn nucleus. The decay goes like: ²²²₈₆Rn-> ²¹⁸₈₄Po + α . The radon will turn into ²¹⁸Po, which is two neutrons + two protons less than ²²²Rn

 

[mfb]

The protons and neutrons of the alpha particle come from the radon nucleus. No new particles, just the same in a different arrangement.

Beta decay is different, there new particles are created.