Po-216- -----------------> Pb-212
The balanced nuclear equation for the alpha decay of thorium-230 is: ^230Th → ^226Ra + ^4He
210 4 214 84 PO -------> 2 alpha + 86 RN
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.
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.
In the case of Rn-222, which is the "isotope of concern" because it occurs naturally, it decays as follows: 222Rn => 218Po + He+2 In this equation, we see the radon isotope Rn-222 emit an alpha particle (the helium nucleus) and undergo a transformation to become the polonium isotope, Po-218.
If radon-210 undergoes alpha decay, it will produce the alpha particle (which is a helium-4 nucleus) and polonium-206. The equation looks like this: 86210Ra => 24He + 84206Po You'll note that in the balanced nuclear equation, the atomic numbers, which are the subscripts, balance on both sides of the equation (86 = 2 + 84). The atomic masses, which are the superscripts, also balance on both sides of the equation (210 = 4 + 206).
The balanced nuclear equation for the alpha decay of thorium-230 is: ^230Th → ^226Ra + ^4He
210 4 214 84 PO -------> 2 alpha + 86 RN
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.
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.
When radium-226 undergoes alpha decay, it becomes radon-222. We write the equation like this: 88226Ra => 24He + 86222Rn Here we see the alpha particle written as a helium-4 nucleus, which is, in point of fact, what it is. Notice that the numbers that are subscripted are equal on both sides of the equation, and the superscripted numbers are as well. They must balance for your equation to be correct.
Polonium itself is not explosive. It is a radioactive element that can spontaneously decay, emitting alpha particles. However, polonium can be used to trigger a fission reaction in a nuclear bomb as part of a beryllium-polonium initiator.
Boron-10 (^10B) undergoing neutron capture forms boron-11 (^11B), followed by the emission of an alpha particle (helium-4 atom). The balanced nuclear equation would be: ^10B + n → ^11B + ^4He
Gamma rays do not have mass or charge, so they do not contribute to the balance of a nuclear equation that involves the emission of an alpha particle. The alpha particle carries away the mass and charge necessary to balance the nuclear equation.
The equation for the alpha decay of radon-222 takes the following form. Radon-222 ----> He + Polonium. In an alpha decay, the atom loses 2 neutrons and 2 protons.
224
In the case of Rn-222, which is the "isotope of concern" because it occurs naturally, it decays as follows: 222Rn => 218Po + He+2 In this equation, we see the radon isotope Rn-222 emit an alpha particle (the helium nucleus) and undergo a transformation to become the polonium isotope, Po-218.