In the nuclear reaction where polonium (with a mass number of 212 and an atomic number of 84) releases an alpha particle, we can determine the atomic number of lead produced.
An alpha particle is essentially a helium nucleus, which has a mass number of 4 and an atomic number of 2. When polonium emits an alpha particle, both the mass number and the atomic number are affected:
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Mass Number:
- Original Mass Number of Polonium: 212
- Mass Number of Alpha Particle: 4
- New Mass Number (of Lead) = 212 - 4 = 208
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Atomic Number:
- Original Atomic Number of Polonium: 84
- Atomic Number of Alpha Particle: 2
- New Atomic Number (of Lead) = 84 - 2 = 82
Thus, the atomic number of lead produced in this reaction is 82.
The correct response is 82.
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