Bismuth - 210, ²¹⁰Bi, is an alpha emitter. What is the resulting daughter nuclide after Bismuth - 210 undergoes alpha emission?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alpha emission involves the release of an alpha particle, which is equivalent to a helium nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons). This results in the decrease of the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4. Bismuth-210 (Bi-210) undergoing alpha emission would transform into an element with an atomic number 2 less than bismuth (83-2=81, which is thallium, Tl) and a mass number of 210-4=206. Therefore, the correct answer is "²⁰⁶Tl".

Bismuth - 210, 210Bi, Is an Alpha Emitter

Bismuth - 210, ²¹⁰Bi, Is an Alpha Emitter