Question

Polonium has a mass number of 212 and an atomic number of 84. In a balanced nuclear reaction, polonium releases an alpha particle to produce lead. Which option is the atomic number of lead?(1 point)
Responses

80
80

82
82

210
210

208

Answer 1

cool

Answer 2

In a balanced nuclear reaction where polonium-212 releases an alpha particle (which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons), the atomic number of the daughter isotope (lead in this case) can be calculated as follows:

Polonium has an atomic number of 84. When it emits an alpha particle, it loses 2 protons:

\[ 84 - 2 = 82 \]

So, the atomic number of lead produced in this reaction is 82.

Therefore, the correct option is **82**.

Answer 3

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