Question

Please help

What element is missing in the following nuclear equation?

212/84 Po → 208/82 ? + 4/2 He

Answer 1

82 is the amount of protons so it is Pb lead. . . similar to 84 being Po.

Answer 2

Answer: The missing part in the nuclear reaction is Pb.

Step-by-step explanation:

The given nuclear reaction is a type of alpha decay process. In this process, the nucleus decays by releasing an alpha particle. The mass number of the nucleus is reduced by 4 units and atomic number is also decreased by 2 units. The particle released is a helium nucleus.

The general equation representing alpha decay process is:

`_(Z)^(A)\textrm{X}\rightarrow _(Z-2)^(A-4)\textrm{Y}+_2^4\alpha`

For the given equation of a nuclear reaction:

`^(212)_(84)\textrm{Po}\rightarrow ^(208)_(82)?+^4_2\textrm{He}`

The nucleus having atomic number of 82 is Lead and the symbol used to represent this element is 'Pb'

Thus, the missing part in the nuclear reaction is Pb.