Write the balanced nuclear equation for the alpha decay of each isotope.

Question

²⁴⁴₉₆PO. (244 over 96)

nuclear equation: ?

bismuth-210

nuclear equation?

Answer 1

Alpha decay tells us that an alpha particle (helium atom) is being release.

²⁴⁴₉₆PO ==> ⁴₂He + X and to find X, we must have the atomic masses and atomic numbers add up.

²⁴⁴₉₆PO ==> ⁴₂He + ²⁴⁰₉₄X and then we look in the periodic table for atomic number 94

²⁴⁴₉₆PO ==> ⁴₂He + ²⁴⁰₉₄Pu

²¹⁰₈₃Bi ==> ⁴₂He + X

²¹⁰₈₃Bi ==> ⁴₂He + ²⁰⁶₈₁X

²¹⁰₈₃Bi ==> ⁴₂He + ²⁰⁶₈₁X

²¹⁰₈₃Bi ==> ⁴₂He + ²⁰⁶₈₁Ti