Question

nuclear chemistry worksheet using your knowledge of nuclear chemistry, write the equations for the following processes: 1) the alpha decay of radon - 198

Explanation:

Step1: Identify radon-198 isotope

Radon has atomic number 86, so it is written as $^{198}_{86}\text{Rn}$.

Step2: Define alpha particle

An alpha particle is a helium nucleus: $^{4}_{2}\text{He}$.

Step3: Balance mass number

Let product mass number = $A$. $198 = A + 4 \implies A = 198 - 4 = 194$.

Step4: Balance atomic number

Let product atomic number = $Z$. $86 = Z + 2 \implies Z = 86 - 2 = 84$.

Step5: Identify product element

Element with $Z=84$ is polonium (Po), so product is $^{194}_{84}\text{Po}$.

Step6: Write balanced decay equation

Combine reactants and products.

Answer:

$^{198}_{86}\text{Rn}
ightarrow ^{194}_{84}\text{Po} + ^{4}_{2}\text{He}$