Final answer:
Polonium-216 decays to lead-212 by emitting an alpha particle, which is a type of nuclear radiation involving the release of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polonium-216 decays to lead-212 by emitting alpha particles. Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay where an alpha particle, which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, is expelled from the nucleus of an unstable atom. In the context of polonium-216 undergoing alpha decay, the nuclear equation would be:
Po-216 → Pb-212 + He-4
Here, He-4 represents the alpha particle that is emitted, and lead-212 (Pb-212) is the daughter isotope. This process decreases the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4, transforming the polonium atom into a lead atom. The released alpha particles are a form of nuclear radiation that can be detected and measured for scientific and medical purposes.