Question

Question: One convenient source of neutrons is the reaction of an alpha particle from an emitter such as polonium ( ${}^{\mathbf{210}}\mathbf{Po}$) with an atom of berrylium (${}^{\mathbf{9}}\mathbf{Be}$ ). Write nuclear equations for the reactions that occur.

Short answer

The required nuclear equations are:

${}_{84}{}^{210}\mathrm{Po}\to {}_{82}{}^{206}\mathrm{Pb}+{}_2{}^4\mathrm{He}$

${}_4{}^9\mathrm{Be}+{}_2{}^4\mathrm{He}\to {}_6{}^{12}\mathrm{C}+{}_0{}^1\mathrm{n}$

Step-by-step solution

Alpha emission by  Po210

An alpha particle is a doubly ionized helium atom. When an alpha emission takes place the mass number decreases by 4 units while the atomic number decreases by 2 units. The nuclear equation representing the alpha emission by ${}^{210}\mathrm{Po}$is:

${}_{84}{}^{210}\mathrm{Po}\to {}_{82}{}^{206}\mathrm{Pb}+{}_2{}^4\mathrm{He}$

Reaction of alpha particle with  Be9

The alpha particle formed reacts with ${}^9\mathrm{Be}$to form ${}^{12}\mathrm{C}$accompanied with neutron emission. The nuclear equation representing the nuclear reaction is:

${}_4{}^9\mathrm{Be}+{}_2{}^4\mathrm{He}\to {}_6{}^{12}\mathrm{C}+{}_0{}^1\mathrm{n}$