What are the atomic number and atomic mass of the element formed when 218Po emits a beta particle? What are they if the polonium emits an alpha particle?
2 Answers
Explanation:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotopes_of_polonium
Alpha Decay
In alpha decay, an unstable nucleus will emit an alpha particle, which is a helium nucleus composed of two protons and neutrons. The mass number of the daughter isotope will be reduced by four, and the atomic number will be reduced by 2.
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The alpha decay of
Beta Minus Decay.
In beta minus decay, a neutron in an unstable nucleus decays into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino:
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The daughter isotope will have the same mass number, but the atomic number increases by one.
The beta minus decay of
#A' = 218# and#Z' = 85# when#color(white)(l)_84^218 "Po"# undergoes beta minus decay.#A'' = 214# and#Z'' = 82# when#color(white)(l)_84^218 "Po"# undergoes alpha decay.
Explanation:
An atom releases an electron (
Thus for each electron (beta minus particle) emitted, the atomic number of the atom increase by one whereas its mass number stays the same. Therefore one would expect the beta minus decay product of
- mass number
#A' = A = 218# and - atomic number
#Z' = Z + 1 = 85#
An atom emits a bare helium nucleus ("alpha particle"
The alpha particle contains two protons bonded to two neutrons, all of the four nucleons are directly removed from the parent nucleus (
- mass number
#A'' = A -4 = 214# - atomic number
#Z'' = Z - 2 = 82#
