Question

An atom of polonium-218 undergoes alpha decay. What new element is produced?

Answer 1

Lead.

Explanation:

Alpha decay is the loss of two protons and two neutrons from a nucleus. This decreases the total mass number by `4` and the atomic number by `2`.

In the form of an equation this is

`""_ 84^218"Po"-> ""_ 82^214"X"+""_ 2^2"He"`

Looking at the periodic table we can find that element number `82` is lead, `"Pb"`, so the product element `"X"` is `"Pb"`.