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When the nuclide polonium-218 undergoes alpha decay:

a. The name of the product nuclide is _____.
b. The symbol for the product nuclide is _____.

Write a balanced nuclear equation for the following: The nuclide polonium-218 undergoes alpha emission.

Answer :

Answer:

a): The name of the product nuclide is lead-214

b): The symbol of the product nuclide is Pb-218

Explanation:

There are three types of decay processes:

  • Alpha decay
  • Beta decay
  • Gamma decay

Alpha decay is the decay process that happens when a heavy nucleus decays into a light nucleus with the release of an alpha particle. This alpha particle carries a charge of +2 units and has a mass of 4 units. It is also known as the helium nucleus. The general equation for this decay process is:

[tex]_Z^A\textrm{X} → _{Z-2}^{A-4}\textrm{Y}+_2^4\alpha[/tex]

The nuclear equation for the alpha decay of Po-218 follows:

[tex]_{84}^{218}\textrm{Po}\rightarrow _{82}^{214}\textrm{Pb}+_2^4\alpha[/tex]

Hence, the name of the product nuclide is lead-214 and the symbol is Pb-218.

When the nuclide polonium-218 undergoes alpha decay:

a. The name of the product nuclide is Lead-214.
b. The symbol for the product nuclide is [tex]\underline{ _{82}^{214}\textrm{Pb}}[/tex]

There are three types of decay processes:

  • Alpha decay
  • Beta decay
  • Gamma decay

Alpha decay is the decay process that happens when a heavy nucleus decays into a light nucleus with the release of an alpha particle. This alpha particle carries a charge of +2 units and has a mass of 4 units. It is also known as the helium nucleus.

To write a balanced nuclear equation for the alpha decay of polonium-218, we need to understand that alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle (24​He) from the nucleus. An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

Here's the step-by-step process for writing the balanced nuclear equation:

  1. Identify the initial nuclide: Polonium-218 has an atomic number (Z) of 84 and a mass number (A) of 218.

  2. Recall that an alpha particle is represented as 24​He.

  3. Subtract the mass number and the atomic number of the alpha particle from the original nuclide:

    • New mass number (A) = 218 - 4 = 214

    • New atomic number (Z) = 84 - 2 = 82

  4. Find the element with the atomic number 82 on the periodic table, which is lead (Pb).

Using these steps, the balanced nuclear equation for the alpha decay of polonium-218 is:

[tex]_{84}^{218}\textrm{Po} \rightarrow _{82}^{214}\textrm{Pb}+_{2}^{4}\textrm{}\alpha[/tex]

In this equation, Polonium-218 undergoes alpha decay to form lead-214 and an alpha particle (Helium-4).

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