Question

What is the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of Po210?

Answer 1

The nuclear equation that describes the alpha decay of Polonium-210 can be written like this:

`""_84^210Po -> ""_82^206Pb + _2^4He`

Po-210 has 84 protons and 126 neutrons in its nucleus. During alpha decay, an `alpha"-particle"`, which is essentially a Helium-4 nucleus, is emitted by the nucleus.

Since the Helium-4 nucleus has 2 protons and 2 neutrons, the alpha decay process will cause the atomic number to decrease by 2 and the atomic mass to decrease by 4.

Nuclear transmutation takes place after an aplha decay, which explains the formation of Pb-206.