High School

Polonium-208 is one of the alpha emitters studied by Curie.

1. Write the equation for the alpha decay of polonium-208 and identify the element formed.
\[ _{84}^{208}Po \rightarrow _{82}^{204}Pb + _{2}^{4}He \]
(Element formed: Lead \([_{82}^{204}Pb]\))

2. If you start with 75 g of polonium-208, and the half-life of polonium-208 is 14 days, how much will remain after 28 weeks?

Answer :

Final answer:

The alpha decay equation for Polonium-208 is ^208Pb -> ^4He + ^204Tl. After 28 weeks, the amount of Polonium-208 remaining can be calculated using the formula N = N0 * (1/2)^(t/t1/2), where N0 is the initial amount, t1/2 is the half-life, and t is the time elapsed.

Explanation:

1. The equation for the alpha decay of Polonium-208 is ^208Pb → ^4He + ^204Tl.

2. To calculate the amount of Polonium-208 remaining after 28 weeks, we need to convert the half-life of 14 days to the corresponding number of weeks. Since there are 7 days in a week, the half-life is equivalent to 2 weeks. Using the formula N = N0 * (1/2)^(t/t1/2), where N is the amount remaining after time t, N0 is the initial amount, t1/2 is the half-life, and t is the time elapsed, we can substitute the values to find the answer. Starting with 75 g of Polonium-208, after 28 weeks (56 half-lives), the amount remaining will be approximately 75 * (1/2)^56.

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