1. polonium (named after Poland)
leukemia, a kind of cancer, caused by exposure to radiation
They give off invisible, penetrating rays
that can fog photographic plates even w/out light, cause cancer, etc.
element
protons
isotopes
neutrons
energy
temperature
nucleus (p+ & n0)
chemical
neutrons

2. chemical
neutrons
they can’t be split
shoot out pieces of their nuclei
Some have too many neutrons, others not enough, relative to their # of protons
Radioactive decay can not be affected by outside influence, so it’s not a reaction.
Radioactive decay can not be triggered, prevented, sped up, or slowed down.
alpha particles
beta particles
gamma rays

3. Ra  Rn + He mass # = protons + neutrons 
 chemical symbol of element
atomic # = # of protons 
The alpha particle is made of two protons and two neutrons.
It’s a high-speed helium nucleus shot out of a decaying atom.
It’s a relatively high-mass, low-penetration form of nuclear radiation.
226 88
Ra  Rn He
22286 4 2
Its mass number goes down by four. Its atomic number goes down by two  its element changes. It may or may not become more stable.
skin
“ingest” it = eat, drink, or inhale it. The bloodstream could take it to any body part.

4. electron
A neutron is neutral. Its charge is zero. If it falls apart and becomes a proton (+1) and an electron (-1), the total charge is still zero. (+1) + (-1) = 0. Charge is conserved. 68 28
Ni  Cu e 68 29 -1
The mass number remains the same since it loses a neutron but gains a proton.
The atomic number goes up by one because it gains a proton.
Gamma particles are photons of light, so they have no mass and no charge.
Gamma particles are also much better at penetrating matter than alpha and beta.