What happens when polonium-214 undergoes alpha decay?

1 Answer
David Drayer · Stefan V.
Oct 29, 2017

#""_84^214"Po" -> ""_82^210"Pb" + ""_2^4"He"#

Explanation:

An alpha particle is a Helium ion with a charge of #+2#. The number of protons is #2# and the number of neutrons is #2#. The total mass is #4#.

When an alpha particle is emitted the mass number goes down by #4# and the atomic number goes down by #2#.

So

  • # 214 -4 = 210" "# for the mass number

  • # 84-2 = 82 " "# for the atomic number.

#82# is the atomic number of Lead, #"Pb"#, so the equation is

#""_84^214"Po" -> ""_82^210"Pb" + ""_2^4"He"#

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