An atom of polonium-218 undergoes alpha decay. What new element is produced?

1 Answer
reudhreghs
Apr 24, 2016

Lead.

Explanation:

Alpha decay is the loss of two protons and two neutrons from a nucleus. This decreases the total mass number by #4# and the atomic number by #2#.

In the form of an equation this is

#""_ 84^218"Po"-> ""_ 82^214"X"+""_ 2^2"He"#

Looking at the periodic table we can find that element number #82# is lead, #"Pb"#, so the product element #"X"# is #"Pb"#.

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