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Chapter 19: Problem 2

What are the steps in balancing nuclear equations?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The steps for balancing nuclear equations involve understanding nuclear reactions, identifying the type of reaction, applying the conservation principles for charge and mass, balancing the equation by matching the numbers of atoms, and finally, checking and confirming that the equation is balanced.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Basics

Nuclear reactions involve changes in an atom's nucleus and thus are different from chemical reactions. These changes often involve the number of protons, neutrons or both. The laws of conservation of mass and charge necessitate that the sum of protons and neutrons remains the same on both sides of a nuclear equation.
02

Identifying the Nuclear Reaction

The first step in balancing a nuclear equation is to identify the type of nuclear reaction taking place. There are four main types: alpha decay, beta decay, positron emission, and electron capture. The type can generally be identified by looking at the products of the reaction or the atomic number of the resultant radioisotope.
03

Apply the Conservation Principles

Subsequently, apply the principles of conservation of charge and conservation of nucleons. For conservation of charge, the sum of atomic numbers (number of protons) on the reactant side should equal that on the product side. Similarly, for conservation of mass, the sum of the mass numbers (number of protons plus neutrons) should be the same on both sides of the equation.
04

Balancing the Equation

Next, make sure that the number of atoms on the left side of the equation matches the number on the right side for every atom. Use coefficients to balance the equations if necessary.
05

Checking Your Work

Finally, always double-check your balanced equation to ensure the numbers on both sides match. A balanced nuclear equation must contain an equal number of nucleons and an equal charge on both sides.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

No form of energy production is without risk. Make a list of the risks to society involved in fueling and operating a conventional coal-fired electric power plant, and compare them with the risks of fueling and operating a nuclear fission-powered electric plant.

For each pair of elements listed, predict which one has more stable isotopes: (a) Co or \(\mathrm{Ni}\), (b) \(\mathrm{F}\) or Se, (c) Ag or Cd.

What is the difference between radioactive decay and nuclear transmutation?

Why is it impossible for the isotope \({ }_{2}^{2}\) He to exist?

How does a hydrogen bomb work?
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