Question

α decay of ²¹⁰Po, the isotope of polonium in the decay series of ²³⁸U that was discovered by the Curies. A favorite isotope in physics labs, since it has a short half-life and decays to a stable nuclide.

Short answer

The electron capture Decay equation of ²¹⁰Po is \(_{84}^{210}{P_{126}} \to _{82}^{206}\;P{b_{124}} + _2^4H{e_2}\).

Step-by-step solution

What is atomic mass number ?

The amount of matter contained in an atom of an element is called its atomic mass.

Formula to be used

A = N + Z

Where A is atomic mass number

Z is the number of protons in a nucleus

X is the symbol for the element

In the expression below:

\(_Z^A{X_N}\)

Z is the number of protons in a nucleus

X is the symbol for the element

To determine the alpha decay equation equation of 

²¹⁰Po

We know that

A = N + Z

Where A is atomic mass number

The atomic mass of \(_{84}^{210}Po\) is 210 and

A = 210 Z = 84 N = 126

Thus,

A = 210 N = 126 - 2 = 124 Z = 84 - 2 = 82

Therefore, alpha Decay equation of ²¹⁰Po is \(_{84}^{210}{P_{126}} \to _{82}^{206}\;P{b_{124}} + _2^4H{e_2}\).