Question

The first four steps in the radioactive decay sequence of Bi-214 are α, β, β, α.What is the symbol, mass number and atomic number of α decay of Bi-214?

Answer 1

In the given radioactive decay sequence of Bi-214 (Bismuth-214), the first step is α decay.

In α decay, an alpha particle is emitted, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. This means that the atomic number decreases by 2, and the mass number decreases by 4.

Starting with Bi-214:

• The first α decay will result in the emission of an alpha particle, which has the symbol α.
• The mass number decreases by 4, so the resulting isotope will have a mass number of 214 - 4 = 210.
• The atomic number decreases by 2, so the resulting isotope will have an atomic number of 83 - 2 = 81.

Therefore, the symbol, mass number, and atomic number of the α decay of Bi-214 are: Symbol: α Mass number: 210 Atomic number: 81