Question

A polonium atom has 84 protons, 124 neutrons, and 84 electrons. What will it change to during alpha decay? A. A lead atom with 82 protons, 122 neutrons, and 84 electrons B. A bismuth atom with 83 protons, 123 neutrons, and 84 electrons C. A polonium atom with 84 protons, 124 neutrons, and 85 electrons D. An astatine atom with 85 protons, 123 neutrons, and 84 electrons

Answer 1

Answer: Option (A) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

An alpha particle is a helium atom that is represented as $^{4}_{2}He$.

Therefore, when an alpha decay occurs if polonium atom has 84 protons, 124 mass, and 84 electrons. Then the reaction will be as follows.

            $^{124}_{84}Po \rightarrow ^{120}_{82}A + ^{4}_{2}He$

An element with atomic number 82 is lead.

Thus, we can conclude that when a polonium atom has 84 protons, 124 mass, and 84 electrons then it will change to a lead atom with 82 protons, 122 mass, and 82 electrons during alpha decay.

Answer 2

I think the correct answer would be A. When a polonium atom with 84 protons, 124 neutrons, and 84 electrons undergoes alpha decay, a lead atom would be produced with 82 protons, 122 neutrons, and 84 electrons together with an alpha particle having two protons and two neutrons.