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Polonium–218 is produced as the daughter nucleus in the alpha-decay of radon–222 - Leaving Cert Physics - Question (i) - 2019

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Polonium–218 is produced as the daughter nucleus in the alpha-decay of radon–222. Write a nuclear equation for this reaction.

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Polonium–218 is produced as the daughter nucleus in the alpha-decay of radon–222 - Leaving Cert Physics - Question (i) - 2019

Step 1

Write a nuclear equation for the alpha-decay of radon–222

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Answer

The nuclear equation for the alpha-decay of radon-222 can be represented as follows:

Rn86222Po84218+He24\text{Rn}^{222}_{86} \rightarrow \text{Po}^{218}_{84} + \text{He}^{4}_{2}

In this reaction, radon-222 ( Rn\text{Rn}) decays into polonium-218 ( Po\text{Po}) and an alpha particle ( He\text{He}). The alpha particle is equivalent to a helium nucleus.

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