Polonium-210 (Po\text{Po}Po) is a radioactive isotope used in industrial static eliminators. A nucleus of polonium-210 contains 84 protons and 126 neutrons. It decays by emitting an α\alphaα-particle to form a nucleus of an isotope of lead (Pb\text{Pb}Pb).
Write down the nuclide equation for the decay of polonium to lead.
Static eliminators contain a polonium source that ionizes the air between the device and a highly charged moving surface, allowing the static charge to safely dissipate.
Suggest and explain the effect that a build-up of dust on the polonium source would have on the rate of static discharge.
Suggest two reasons for using an α\alphaα-particle emitter in a static eliminator rather than a beta (β\betaβ) or gamma (γ\gammaγ) source.
484 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.2 Radioactivity, covering 5.2.1 Background radiation and measuring count rate, 5.2.2a Alpha, beta and gamma emission, 5.2.2b Deflection and ionising effects of nuclear radiation, 5.2.3a Radioactive decay, 5.2.3b Effects of decay on the nucleus and decay equations, 5.2.4a Half-life, 5.2.4b Choosing isotopes for applications, and 5.2.5 Effects of ionising radiation and safety precautions. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.