The half life of polonium-214 is 164,3(20) microseconds.
Polonium-218 decay to lead-214.
The correct equation for the alpha decay of Polonium-214 is: 218/84Po -> 214/82Pb + 4/2He This shows the decay of Polonium-214 into Lead-214 and a Helium nucleus, where the atomic number and mass numbers are conserved.
Polonium-218 undergoes alpha decay to form lead-214, which then undergoes beta decay to form bismuth-214.
Bismuth-214 produces Polonium-214 by beta- decay. It also produces Thallium-210 by alpha decay, though at a much smaller percentage.
Bismuth-214
The equation for the alpha decay of 210Po is: 84210Po --> 82206Pb + 24He representing the alpha particle as a helium nucleus. 206Pb, the daughter atom, is stable.
Alpha decay is involved when polonium-214 decays into lead-210. In alpha decay, an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons) is emitted from the nucleus, reducing the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4.
210 4 214 84 PO -------> 2 alpha + 86 RN
When bismuth-214 emits a positron, it undergoes beta-plus decay to produce polonium-214. This decay process involves the conversion of a proton into a neutron, releasing a positron and a neutrino.
During radioactive decay of Polonium-214, it emits an alpha particle consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, which is equivalent to a helium nucleus. This results in the formation of a new element with an atomic number lower by 2 and a mass number lower by 4 than that of Polonium-214.
The primary source of radon dose comes from its decay products, such as polonium-218, lead-214, and bismuth-214. These decay products are created when radon undergoes radioactive decay in the environment and can attach to dust or aerosols in the air, allowing them to be inhaled or ingested by humans.
All isotopes of polonium can undergo alpha decay, a small number of isotopes can also undergo beta decay, K capture decay, or gamma decay.