# Problem: The following nuclei are observed to decay by emitting an α particle: 212/84Po Part AWrite out the decay process for 212/84Po.Part BDetermine the energy released in this reaction. Be sure to take into account the mass of the electrons associated with the neutral atoms.

###### FREE Expert Solution

For an α-decay, the mass number of the nucleus is always reduced by 4 and the charge number reduced by 2 for the given nucleus.

The energy released in the reaction:

$\overline{){\mathbf{∆}}{\mathbf{E}}{\mathbf{=}}{\mathbf{\left(}}{\mathbf{∆}}{\mathbf{m}}{\mathbf{\right)}}{\mathbf{\left(}}{\mathbf{931}}{\mathbf{.}}{\mathbf{5}}{\mathbf{M}}{\mathbf{e}}{\mathbf{V}}{\mathbf{\right)}}}$

Part A

For an α - decay, we have the decay process for 212/84Po as:

84Po2122He4 + 82Pb208 + ΔE

92% (472 ratings)
###### Problem Details

The following nuclei are observed to decay by emitting an α particle: 212/84Po

Part A

Write out the decay process for 212/84Po.

Part B

Determine the energy released in this reaction. Be sure to take into account the mass of the electrons associated with the neutral atoms.