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  • Polonium-218 Alpha Decay: Equation & Explanation
    The alpha decay equation for polonium-218 is:

    ²¹⁸Po → ⁴He + ²¹⁴Pb

    Here's what this equation means:

    * ²¹⁸Po: This represents the parent nucleus, polonium-218, with 84 protons and 134 neutrons.

    * ⁴He: This represents the alpha particle, which is a helium nucleus with 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

    * ²¹⁴Pb: This represents the daughter nucleus, lead-214, which is formed after the alpha particle is emitted. It has 82 protons and 132 neutrons.

    Explanation:

    During alpha decay, the unstable polonium-218 nucleus emits an alpha particle. This process reduces the atomic number by 2 (from 84 to 82) and the mass number by 4 (from 218 to 214), resulting in the formation of lead-214.

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