What is the alpha decay equation for polonium-218?

Answer 1

When a polonium-216 nucleus undergoes alpha decay, it will lose an alpha particle, which is made up of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. This means that polonium-216, which has an Atomic Mass of 216 and an atomic number of 84, will become the element with the atomic number of 82 (84 minus 2), and will have an atomic mass of 212 (216 minus 4). Lead has an atomic number of 82. So, this is how polonium-216 becomes an isotope of lead when it emits an alpha particle.

Answer 2

Alpha decay is the loss of two protons and two neutrons. Losing two protons causes an atom to become a different element, specifically the element that has an atomic number two lower. In any case, polonium atoms losing an alpha particle become lead atoms. Since two protons and two neutrons are lost, the isotope number of the daughter atom is 4 lower than that of the original atom. Thus, after the loss of an alpha particle:

208Po becomes 204Pb,

209Po becomes 205Pb, and

210Po becomes 206Pb,

etc.

Answer 3

Depending on the isotope:

208Po-----------204Pb

209Po-----------205Pb

210Po-----------206Pb

etc.

Answer 4

209Po --> 205Pb + 4He, 209Bi (K capture)

205Pb --> 205Tl (K capture)

209Bi, stable

205Tl, stable

Answer 5

84Po214 = 82Pb210 + 2He4(alpha particle)

Answer 6

218Po84 -> 214Pb82 + a (alpha)

Answer 7

a particle