Question 19.PS.2: Nuclear Equations Complete these nuclear equations by fillin......
Nuclear Equations
Complete these nuclear equations by filling in the missing symbol, mass number, and atomic number of the product species.
(a) ^{18}_9F → ^{18}_9O + — (b) ^{26}_{13}Al + ^{~~~0}_{-1}e → —
(c) ^{208}_{79}Au → ^{208}_{80}Hg + — (d) ^{218}_{84}Po → ^4_2He + —
(a) ^{~~0}_{+1}e (b) ^{26}_{12}Mg (c) ^{~~0}_{-1}e (d) ^{214}_{82}Pb
Strategy and Explanation In each case we deduce the missing species by comparing the atomic numbers and mass numbers before and after the reaction.
(a) The missing particle has a mass number of zero and a charge of +1, so it must be a positron, ^{~~~0}_{+1}e. When the positron is included in the equation, the atomic mass is 18 on each side, and the atomic numbers sum to 9 on each side.
(b) The missing nucleus must have a mass number of 26 + 0 = 26 and an atomic number of 13 – 1 = 12, so it is ^{26}_{12}Mg.
(c) The missing particle has a mass number of zero and a charge of -1, so it must be a beta particle, ^{~~~0}_{-1}e.
(d) The missing nucleus has a mass number of 218 – 4 = 214 and an atomic number of 84 – 2 = 82, so it is ^{214}_{82}Pb.