Question

Complete the following equations by correctly matching the appropriate product.

Answer 1

Answer: $_{82}^{206}\textrm {Pb}$

Explanation:

Alpha decay: In this process, alpha particles is emitted when a heavier nuclei decays into lighter nuclei. The alpha particle released has a charge of +2 units.

The general alpha decay reaction is given as:

$_Z^A\textrm{X}\rightarrow _{Z-2}^{A-4}\textrm{Y}+_2^4\alpha$

According to the law of conservation of mass, mass can neither be created nor be destroyed. Thus the mass of products has to be equal to the mass of reactants. The number of atoms of each element has to be same on reactant and product side. Thus chemical equations are balanced.

Thus the balanced reaction is :

$_{84}^{210}\textrm{Po}\rightarrow _{82}^{206}\textrm{Pb}+_2^4\alpha$

Answer 2

The first equation we are emitting an alpha particle so we take the top number and decrease it by 4 from 210 to 206 and the bottom number by 2 from 84 to 82.  so that would match with Pb-206 (the 206 is the top number)

the second equation the 218 will drop to 214 and the 84 to 82 leaving us with Pb-214