Final answer:
Polonium-210 undergoes an alpha decay to form lead-206, with the atomic number decreasing by 2 and the mass number by 4, resulting in the nuclear equation ²¹⁰Po → ´₂He + ²°⁶Pb.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polonium is a naturally radioactive element that undergoes alpha decay. When polonium (Po) decays, it emits an alpha particle, which is the equivalent of a helium nucleus (He), resulting in the transformation into a new element. Following the alpha decay process, the atomic number decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4.
In the specific decay of polonium-210 (²¹⁰Po), the alpha particle emitted is ´₂He. The resulting daughter element after the loss of the alpha particle will therefore have an atomic number of 82 (84 - 2) and a mass number of 206 (210 - 4). This corresponds to the element lead (Pb), specifically lead-206 (²°⁶Pb).
The complete nuclear equation for this decay process is: ²¹⁰Po → ´₂He + ²°⁶Pb.