Question

Provide the complete symbol for the particle indicated by the question mark needed to balance the following nuclear equation.

a) ¹⁴N + ? -> ¹⁷O + ¹P

b) ²⁴⁹Cf + ¹⁸O -> ²⁶³Sg + ?

c) ? + α -> ²⁴³Bk + n

d) ²³⁹Pu + n -> ¹⁴⁰Sb + ? + 4n

e) ²³⁵U + n -> ¹³²Sn + 3n

f) ²⁴¹Am -> α + ?

g) ¹³⁶La -> ? + β⁺

h) ²⁷Al + ²H -> ? + ²⁸Al

Answer 1

To balance the nuclear reaction both the mass number as well as the atomic number will balance means the total of the mass number and atomic number of reactants are same as product.

a) ¹⁴N + ? -> ¹⁷O + ¹P

¹⁴N + ? -> ¹⁷O + ¹P

Assume the bombarding particle is X

¹⁴N + X -> ¹⁷O + ¹P

The mass number of unknown product:

7+ A = 8+1

A= 2

     

The atomic number of unknown product:

14+ z = 17+1

z= 4

     

thus the particle is 2 He 4.

7-N-14 + 2-He-4 ---> 8-O-17 + 1-H-1

b) ²⁴⁹Cf + ¹⁸O -> ²⁶³Sg + ?

Assume the product particle is X

249+ 18= 263+A

A= 4

98+8= 106+Z

Z = 2

²⁴⁹Cf + ¹⁸O -> ²⁶³Sg + 4 He

c) ? + α -> ²⁴³Bk + n

Assume the particle is X

X+ α -> ²⁴³Bk + n

The mass number of unknown product:

4+ A = 243+1

A= 240

     

The atomic number of unknown product:

2+ z = 97+0

z=9 5

     

thus the particle is 240 Am95.

240 Am+ α -> ²⁴³Bk + n

d) ²³⁹Pu + n -> ¹⁴⁰Sb + ? + 4n

Assume the product particle is X

239+ 1= 140+A+4*1

A= 96

94+0= 51+Z+ 0

Z = 43

²³⁹Pu + n -> ¹⁴⁰Sb + 96Tc+ 4n