Chapter 16: Problem 20

Complete this nuclear reaction, and state whether it is fission or fusion. $$ { }_{94}^{239} \mathrm{Pu}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \rightarrow{ }_{38}^{90} \mathrm{Sr}+?+3{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} $$

Short Answer

Expert verified

The complete nuclear reaction is: $ { }_{94}^{239} \mathrm{Pu} + { }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \rightarrow{ }_{38}^{90} \mathrm{Sr} + { }_{56}^{150} \mathrm{Ba} + 3{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} $ And the type of nuclear reaction is fission.

Step by step solution

Apply conservation of mass number and atomic number

We will first apply the conservation of mass number (A) and atomic number (Z). $ A_{1} + A_{2} = A_{3} + A_{4} $ Also, $ Z_{1} + Z_{2} = Z_{3} + Z_{4} $ So, for this reaction: $ 239 + 1 = 90 + A_{4} $ $ 94 + 0 = 38 + Z_{4} $

Find the missing product's mass number and atomic number

Now, we'll solve the equations from Step 1 to find the missing product's mass number (A_4) and atomic number (Z_4). Mass number equation: $ A_{4} = 239 + 1 - 90 = 150 $ Atomic number equation: $ Z_{4} = 94 - 38 = 56 $ Now, we know the missing product's mass number and atomic number: $ { }_{56}^{150} \mathrm{X} $

Identify the missing product by atomic number

By looking at the periodic table, we'll find that the element with atomic number 56 is Barium (Ba). Therefore, the missing product is: $$ { }_{56}^{150} \mathrm{Ba} $$

Identify the type of reaction as fission or fusion

Now, we'll determine if the reaction is fission or fusion. A fission reaction involves splitting a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei, while fusion involves combining lighter nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. In this case, the plutonium nucleus ("$_{94}^{239}\mathrm{Pu}$") is heavy and it splits into lighter elements ("$_{38}^{90}\mathrm{Sr}$" and "$_{56}^{150}\mathrm{Ba}$"), so this reaction is an example of nuclear fission.

Final Answer

The complete nuclear reaction is: $$ { }_{94}^{239} \mathrm{Pu} + { }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \rightarrow{ }_{38}^{90} \mathrm{Sr} + { }_{56}^{150} \mathrm{Ba} + 3{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} $$ And the type of nuclear reaction is fission.

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Complete this nuclear reaction, and state whether it is fission or fusion. $$ { }_{94}^{239} \mathrm{Pu}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \rightarrow{ }_{38}^{90} \mathrm{Sr}+?+3{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} $$

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Apply conservation of mass number and atomic number

Find the missing product's mass number and atomic number

Identify the missing product by atomic number

Identify the type of reaction as fission or fusion

Final Answer

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