210Bi undergoes β– decay to 1/8 of its initial amount in 15...
Alpha decay to produce 206Pb. The decay equation is:
210Bi -> 206Pb + 4He
This means that 210Bi emits an alpha particle (which is a helium nucleus consisting of two protons and two neutrons) to become 206Pb.
The half-life of 210Bi is 5.01 days, which means that it takes 5.01 days for half of the 210Bi atoms to decay. After 10.02 days, only one-fourth of the original 210Bi atoms will remain, and after 15.03 days, only one-eighth will remain, and so on.
Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, reducing its atomic number by two and its mass number by four. This type of decay is common in heavy nuclei, such as those of uranium and plutonium. Alpha particles are relatively large and heavy, and they have a positive charge, which means that they can be easily absorbed by other materials, such as air or skin. This makes alpha radiation less penetrating than other forms of radiation, but also more dangerous if it is ingested or inhaled.