Final answer:
The nuclear equation 218/84Po = _______ + 4/2He is completed by the alpha decay product 214/82Pb, leading to the balanced equation 218/84Po = 214/82Pb + 4/2He.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to balancing a nuclear equation resulting from the alpha decay of Polonium-218 (218Po). The nuclear equation given is 218/84Po = _______ + 4/2He, where 4/2He represents an alpha particle, which is a helium-4 nucleus.
When an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle, its atomic mass decreases by 4 units and its atomic number decreases by 2 units. Therefore, to balance the equation, we need to subtract the mass and atomic numbers of the alpha particle from those of the parent nucleus, Polonium-218.
Subtracting the mass number (4) from the parent nucleus mass (218) gives us 214, and subtracting the atomic number (2) from the parent atomic number (84) gives us 82, which is the atomic number of the element lead (Pb). Thus, the complete balanced nuclear equation for this alpha decay is 218/84Po = 214/82Pb + 4/2He.