Complete and balance the following nuclear equations. (a)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the type of nuclear reaction involved (e.g., alpha decay, beta decay, positron emission, electron capture, etc.).
2. Write down the known parts of the nuclear equation, including the reactants and any given products.
3. Use the conservation of mass number and atomic number to determine the missing particles or nuclei. The sum of mass numbers (top numbers) and atomic numbers (bottom numbers) must be equal on both sides of the equation.
4. Identify the missing particle or nucleus by comparing the mass numbers and atomic numbers on both sides of the equation. Common particles include alpha particles (\( ^4_2\text{He} \)), beta particles (\( ^0_{-1}\text{e} \)), positrons (\( ^0_{+1}\text{e} \)), and neutrons (\( ^1_0\text{n} \)).
5. Write the complete and balanced nuclear equation, ensuring that both the mass numbers and atomic numbers are balanced.

Key Concepts

Nuclear Reactions

Nuclear reactions involve changes in an atom's nucleus and can result in the transformation of one element into another. These reactions include processes such as alpha decay, beta decay, and nuclear fission. Understanding the type of nuclear reaction is crucial for predicting the products and balancing the equations.

Conservation of Mass and Charge

In nuclear equations, both mass number and atomic number must be conserved. This means that the total mass number (sum of protons and neutrons) and the total charge (number of protons) before the reaction must equal those after the reaction. Balancing these quantities is essential for correctly completing nuclear equations.

Notation of Nuclear Particles

Nuclear particles are represented using specific notation, where the mass number is written as a superscript and the atomic number as a subscript. For example, a helium nucleus is denoted as 4He, where 4 is the mass number and 2 is the atomic number. Familiarity with this notation is necessary for accurately writing and balancing nuclear equations.