Radium is a chemical element with the symbol Ra and atomic number 88. It is classified as an alkaline earth metal and is characterized by its potent radioactive properties, stemming from naturally occurring isotopes such as radium-226. Due to its radioactivity, the element decays through complex decay chains, emitting various forms of ionizing radiation, including alpha and beta particles. These intrinsic physical properties make it a subject of significant study in radiochemistry and nuclear physics, where its decay patterns are used to understand nuclear stability and geological processes.