Question

What type of radiation is emitted when polonium-212 forms lead-208?

a. an alpha particle
b. a beta particle
c. gamma radiation
d. all of the above

Answer 1

A. An alpha particle.

Hope this helps :) ~

Answer 2

Answer: The radiation that is emitted from the above process is alpha particle.

Step-by-step explanation:

Alpha decay is defined as the process in which alpha particle is emitted. In this process, a heavier nuclei decays into a lighter nuclei. The alpha particle released carries a charge of +2 units. The released alpha particle is also known as helium nucleus.

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

Beta decay is defined as the process in which beta particle is emitted. In this process, a neutron gets converted to a proton and an electron. The released beta particle is also known as electron.

`_Z^A\textrm{X}\rightarrow _(Z+1)^A\textrm{Y}+_(-1)^0\beta`

Gamma decay is defined as the process in which an unstable nuclei gives off excess energy by a spontaneous electromagnetic process and thus releases
`\gamma -radiations`.

These radiations does not carry any charge and are electrically neutral.

`_Z^A\textrm{X}^*\rightarrow _Z^A\textrm{X}+_0^0\gamma`

The chemical equation for the decay of polonium-212 isotope follows:

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

Hence, the radiation that is emitted from the above process is alpha particle.