Question

When the nuclide polonium-218 undergoes alpha decay:

a. The name of the product nuclide is _____.
b. The symbol for the product nuclide is _____.

Write a balanced nuclear equation for the following: The nuclide polonium-218 undergoes alpha emission.

Answer 1

a): The name of the product nuclide is lead-214

b): The symbol of the product nuclide is Pb-218

Step-by-step explanation:

There are three types of decay processes:

• Alpha decay
• Beta decay
• Gamma decay

Alpha decay is the decay process that happens when a heavy nucleus decays into a light nucleus with the release of an alpha particle. This alpha particle carries a charge of +2 units and has a mass of 4 units. It is also known as the helium nucleus. The general equation for this decay process is:

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

The nuclear equation for the alpha decay of Po-218 follows:

`_(84)^(218)\textrm{Po}\rightarrow _(82)^(214)\textrm{Pb}+_2^4\alpha`

Hence, the name of the product nuclide is lead-214 and the symbol is Pb-218.