Chapter 16: Problem 105

Complete these equations representing nuclear reactions: (a) \({ }_{51}^{121} \mathrm{Sb}+{ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He} \rightarrow ?+{ }_{1}^{1} \mathrm{H}\) (b) \({ }_{13}^{27} \mathrm{Al}+{ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He} \rightarrow ?+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n}\) (c) \({ }_{92}^{238} \mathrm{U}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \rightarrow ?+{ }_{-1}^{0} \mathrm{e}\)

Short Answer

Expert verified

(a) \({ }_{51}^{121} \mathrm{Sb}+{ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He} \rightarrow { }_{52}^{124} \mathrm{Te} +{ }_{1}^{1} \mathrm{H}\) (b) \({ }_{13}^{27} \mathrm{Al}+{ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He} \rightarrow { }_{15}^{30} \mathrm{P} +{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n}\) (c) \({ }_{92}^{238} \mathrm{U}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \rightarrow { }_{93}^{239} \mathrm{Np} +{ }_{-1}^{0} \mathrm{e}\)

Step by step solution

Balance mass numbers

Sum the mass numbers of the reactants and subtract the mass number of the known product: \(121 + 4 - 1 = 124\)

Balance atomic numbers

Sum the atomic numbers of the reactants and subtract the atomic number of the known product: \(51 + 2 - 1 = 52\)

Identify the element with the atomic number

The element with the atomic number 52 is Tellurium (Te). So the complete reaction is: \({ }_{51}^{121} \mathrm{Sb}+{ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He} \rightarrow { }_{52}^{124} \mathrm{Te} +{ }_{1}^{1} \mathrm{H}\) (b) \({ }_{13}^{27} \mathrm{Al}+{ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He} \rightarrow ?+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n}\)

Balance mass numbers

Sum the mass numbers of the reactants and subtract the mass number of the known product: \(27 + 4 - 1 = 30\)

Balance atomic numbers

Sum the atomic numbers of the reactants and subtract the atomic number of the known product: \(13 + 2 - 0 = 15\)

Identify the element with the atomic number

The element with the atomic number 15 is Phosphorus (P). So the complete reaction is: \({ }_{13}^{27} \mathrm{Al}+{ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He} \rightarrow { }_{15}^{30} \mathrm{P} +{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n}\) (c) \({ }_{92}^{238} \mathrm{U}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \rightarrow ?+{ }_{-1}^{0} \mathrm{e}\)

Balance mass numbers

Sum the mass numbers of the reactants and subtract the mass number of the known product: \(238 + 1 - 0 = 239\)

Balance atomic numbers

Sum the atomic numbers of the reactants and subtract the atomic number of the known product: \(92 + 0 - (-1) = 93\)

Identify the element with the atomic number

The element with the atomic number 93 is Neptunium (Np). So the complete reaction is: \({ }_{92}^{238} \mathrm{U}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \rightarrow { }_{93}^{239} \mathrm{Np} +{ }_{-1}^{0} \mathrm{e}\)

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Balance mass numbers

Balance atomic numbers

Identify the element with the atomic number

Balance mass numbers

Balance atomic numbers

Identify the element with the atomic number

Balance mass numbers

Balance atomic numbers

Identify the element with the atomic number

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Kinetics

Nuclear Chemistry

Chemistry Branches

Physical Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

Making Measurements

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.