Question

list the steps for balancing a nuclear reaction

Answer 1

Hi to understand better we will discuss with an example.

Thorium-228 undergoes radioactive decay and forms Radium-224

1. We have to look at periodic table for atomic numbers as they are constant for any element even mass number changes but atomic number do not change for particular element

2. We find Thorium atomic number as 90 and radium as 88

3. now write reactant and product separated by an arrow

²²⁸₉₀Th --> ²²⁴₈₈Ra

4. Now subtract product mass number from reactant mass number, difference = 228 - 224 = 4 units

5. now do the same for atomic numbers also, difference = 90 - 88 = 2 units

6. mass number 4 and atomic number 2 represents helium element, also called as alpha particle, so Thorium decays by alpha-particle (so called alpha decay)

7. now balance reaction

²²⁸₉₀Th --> ²²⁴₈₈Ra + ⁴₂He

8. what we learn is both sides sum of atomic masses as well as atomic numbers must be equal.

Hope this helped you!

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