Question

Use the periodic table and your knowledge of isotopes to complete these statements.

When polonium-210 emits an alpha particle, the child isotope has an atomic mass of
.
I-131 undergoes beta-minus decay. The chemical symbol for the new element is
.
Fluorine-18 undergoes beta-plus decay. The child isotope has an atomic mass of
.

Answer 1

When polonium-210 emits an alpha particle, the child isotope has an atomic mass of 206 (Po-210 → Pb-206).

I-131 undergoes beta-minus decay. The chemical symbol for the new element is Xe (I-131 → Xe-131).

Fluorine-18 undergoes beta-plus decay. The child isotope has an atomic mass of 18 (F-18 → O-18).