Polonium-210 ($^{210}_{84}Po$) is a radioactive isotope that decays by emitting alpha radiation - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 2
Polonium-210 ($^{210}_{84}Po$) is a radioactive isotope that decays by emitting alpha radiation.
1. Which is the correct decay equation for polonium-210?
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Worked Solution & Example Answer:Polonium-210 ($^{210}_{84}Po$) is a radioactive isotope that decays by emitting alpha radiation - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which is the correct decay equation for polonium-210?
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Answer
The correct decay equation for polonium-210 is:
84210Po→82206Pb+24He
This equation shows that polonium-210 decays into lead-206 and emits an alpha particle (24He).
Step 2
Why is alpha radiation dangerous inside the human body?
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Answer
Alpha radiation is highly ionising. This means that it can cause significant damage to biological tissues if it is absorbed into the body. Its ability to ionise atoms can lead to cellular damage and increases the risk of cancer.
Step 3
Determine the change in mass of the sample of polonium-210 between 50 and 150 days.
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Answer
To determine the change in mass of the sample, we first calculate the mass lost during this period. The mass of polonium-210 decreases from 460 mg to 280 mg. Therefore, the change in mass can be calculated as:
Change in mass=Initial mass−Final mass=460mg−280mg=180mg
