Question

Question: the most convenient way to to prepare the element polonium is to expose bismuth (which is 100% ${}^{\mathbf{209}}\mathbf{Bi}$) to neutrons. Write the balanced equations for the two steps in the preparation of polonium.

Short answer

The balanced reaction for the preparation of polonium from bismuth is:

${}_{83}{}^{209}\mathrm{Bi}+{}_0{}^1\mathrm{n}\to {}_{83}{}^{210}\mathrm{Bi}\to {}_{84}{}^{210}\mathrm{Po}+{}_{-1}{}^0\mathrm{e}^{-}+\overline{\mathrm{\nu }}$

Step-by-step solution

Formation of Bi83210

The first step of the reaction involves bombardment with neutrons. The nuclear equation representing the reaction of ${}_{83}{}^{209}\mathrm{Bi}$with neutrons is:

${}_{83}{}^{209}\mathrm{Bi}+{}_0{}^1\mathrm{n}\to {}_{83}{}^{210}\mathrm{Bi}$

Formation of Po84210

Number of protons in ${}_{83}{}^{210}\mathrm{Bi}=83$

Number of neutrons in${}_{83}{}^{210}\mathrm{Bi}=127$

Since the number of neutron is much more than the number of protons, we can conclude that electron emission takes place to form polonium.

The balanced nuclear reaction is:

${}_{83}{}^{210}\mathrm{Bi}\to {}_{84}{}^{210}\mathrm{Po}+{}_{-1}{}^0\mathrm{e}^{-}+\overline{\mathrm{\nu }}$