Final answer:
The product of polonium-210 emitting an alpha particle is lead-206, which is the daughter isotope after the decay process. An alpha particle has an atomic mass of 4 and an atomic number of 2, hence the decay decreases polonium's mass and atomic numbers to form lead.
Step-by-step explanation:
When polonium-210 (Po-210) emits an alpha particle, which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, the result is a new element with an atomic number that is two less, and a mass number that is four less than the original substance. This is because an alpha particle has an atomic mass of 4 and an atomic number of 2. To find the other product of this decay, we subtract the atomic mass and number of the alpha particle from polonium-210:
- Mass number: 210 - 4 = 206
- Atomic number: 84 (polonium) - 2 = 82 (lead)
Thus, the decay of polonium-210 (
210Po) by the emission of an alpha particle (4He) results in lead-206 (
206Pb) as the daughter isotope. The nuclear equation representing this decay process is:
210Po --> 206Pb + 4He
It is important to note that, due to the loss of an alpha particle, polonium-210 transforms into a completely different element, lead, after the emission, and this process decreases both the mass and atomic numbers of the original element.