Worksheet for practicing balancing nuclear reactions and identifying types of nuclear reactions.
Balancing Nuclear Reactions Worksheet with 15 problems involving alpha emission, beta emission, positron emission, gamma emission, artificial transmutation, fission, and fusion.
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Step-by-step solution for: Solved BALANCING NUCLEAR REACTIONS WORKSHEET Predict the | Chegg.com
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Solved BALANCING NUCLEAR REACTIONS WORKSHEET Predict the | Chegg.com
To solve the problems in the "Balancing Nuclear Reactions Worksheet," we need to balance the nuclear equations and identify the type of nuclear reaction. Let's go through each problem step by step.
Equation: $^{42}_{19}\text{K} \rightarrow ^0_{-1}\text{e} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Beta ($\beta$) emission
- Explanation: In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, an electron (beta particle), and an antineutrino. The atomic number increases by 1, and the mass number remains the same.
- Solution: $^{42}_{19}\text{K} \rightarrow ^0_{-1}\text{e} + ^{42}_{20}\text{Ca}$
Equation: $^{239}_{94}\text{Pu} \rightarrow ^4_2\text{He} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Alpha ($\alpha$) emission
- Explanation: In alpha decay, the nucleus emits an alpha particle ($^4_2\text{He}$), reducing the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4.
- Solution: $^{239}_{94}\text{Pu} \rightarrow ^4_2\text{He} + ^{235}_{92}\text{U}$
Equation: $^{235}_{92}\text{U} \rightarrow \_\_\_\_\_\_ + ^{234}_{96}\text{Th}$
- Type of Reaction: Positron ($\beta^+$) emission or Electron Capture
- Explanation: To balance the equation, the missing particle must be a positron ($^0_{+1}\text{e}$) since the atomic number decreases by 1 and the mass number remains the same.
- Solution: $^{235}_{92}\text{U} \rightarrow ^0_{+1}\text{e} + ^{234}_{96}\text{Th}$
Equation: $^1_1\text{H} + ^3_1\text{H} \rightarrow \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Fusion
- Explanation: This is a fusion reaction where two hydrogen isotopes combine to form a heavier nucleus. The total mass number and atomic number must be conserved.
- Solution: $^1_1\text{H} + ^3_1\text{H} \rightarrow ^4_2\text{He}$
Equation: $^6_3\text{Li} \rightarrow ^1_0\text{n} + ^4_2\text{He} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Lithium-6 captures a neutron and splits into helium-4 and another particle. The missing particle must balance the atomic number and mass number.
- Solution: $^6_3\text{Li} + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow ^1_0\text{n} + ^4_2\text{He} + ^2_1\text{H}$
Equation: $^{27}_{13}\text{Al} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow ^{30}_{15}\text{P} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Aluminum-27 captures an alpha particle and transforms into phosphorus-30, emitting a neutron.
- Solution: $^{27}_{13}\text{Al} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow ^{30}_{15}\text{P} + ^1_0\text{n}$
Equation: $^9_4\text{Be} + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow \_\_\_\_\_\_ + ^4_2\text{He}$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Beryllium-9 captures a neutron and splits into helium-4 and another particle.
- Solution: $^9_4\text{Be} + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow ^6_3\text{Li} + ^4_2\text{He}$
Equation: $^{37}_{19}\text{K} \rightarrow ^0_{+1}\text{e} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Positron ($\beta^+$) emission
- Explanation: Potassium-37 undergoes positron emission, converting a proton into a neutron, a positron, and a neutrino. The atomic number decreases by 1.
- Solution: $^{37}_{19}\text{K} \rightarrow ^0_{+1}\text{e} + ^{37}_{18}\text{Ar}$
Equation: $\_\_\_\_\_\_ + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow ^{142}_{56}\text{Ba} + ^{91}_{36}\text{Kr} + 3^1_0\text{n}$
- Type of Reaction: Fission
- Explanation: This is a fission reaction where a heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei and neutrons. The total mass number and atomic number must be conserved.
- Solution: $^{235}_{92}\text{U} + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow ^{142}_{56}\text{Ba} + ^{91}_{36}\text{Kr} + 3^1_0\text{n}$
Equation: $^{238}_{92}\text{U} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow \_\_\_\_\_\_ + ^1_0\text{n}$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Uranium-238 captures an alpha particle and emits a neutron, forming a new nucleus.
- Solution: $^{238}_{92}\text{U} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow ^{241}_{94}\text{Pu} + ^1_0\text{n}$
Equation: $^{14}_6\text{C} \rightarrow ^{14}_7\text{N} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Electron capture
- Explanation: Carbon-14 captures an electron, converting a proton into a neutron, and forms nitrogen-14.
- Solution: $^{14}_6\text{C} + ^0_{-1}\text{e} \rightarrow ^{14}_7\text{N} + \nu$
Equation: $^{187}_{75}\text{Re} + \_\_\_\_\_\_ \rightarrow ^{188}_{75}\text{Re} + ^1_1\text{H}$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Rhenium-187 captures a particle and emits a proton, forming rhenium-188.
- Solution: $^{187}_{75}\text{Re} + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow ^{188}_{75}\text{Re} + ^1_1\text{H}$
Equation: $^{22}_{11}\text{Na} + \_\_\_\_\_\_ \rightarrow ^{22}_{10}\text{Ne}$
- Type of Reaction: Electron capture
- Explanation: Sodium-22 captures an electron, converting a proton into a neutron, and forms neon-22.
- Solution: $^{22}_{11}\text{Na} + ^0_{-1}\text{e} \rightarrow ^{22}_{10}\text{Ne} + \nu$
Equation: $^{218}_{84}\text{Po} \rightarrow \_\_\_\_\_\_ + ^4_2\text{He}$
- Type of Reaction: Alpha ($\alpha$) emission
- Explanation: Polonium-218 undergoes alpha decay, emitting an alpha particle and forming a new nucleus.
- Solution: $^{218}_{84}\text{Po} \rightarrow ^{214}_{82}\text{Pb} + ^4_2\text{He}$
Equation: $^{253}_{99}\text{Es} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow ^1_0\text{n} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Einsteinium-253 captures an alpha particle and emits a neutron, forming a new nucleus.
- Solution: $^{253}_{99}\text{Es} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow ^1_0\text{n} + ^{256}_{101}\text{Md}$
\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{ll}
1. & ^{42}_{20}\text{Ca}, \text{Beta (\(\beta\)) emission} \\
2. & ^{235}_{92}\text{U}, \text{Alpha (\(\alpha\)) emission} \\
3. & ^0_{+1}\text{e}, \text{Positron (\(\beta^+\)) emission} \\
4. & ^4_2\text{He}, \text{Fusion} \\
5. & ^2_1\text{H}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
6. & ^1_0\text{n}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
7. & ^6_3\text{Li}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
8. & ^{37}_{18}\text{Ar}, \text{Positron (\(\beta^+\)) emission} \\
9. & ^{235}_{92}\text{U}, \text{Fission} \\
10. & ^{241}_{94}\text{Pu}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
11. & \nu, \text{Electron capture} \\
12. & ^1_0\text{n}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
13. & ^0_{-1}\text{e}, \text{Electron capture} \\
14. & ^{214}_{82}\text{Pb}, \text{Alpha (\(\alpha\)) emission} \\
15. & ^{256}_{101}\text{Md}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
\end{array}
}
\]
1.
Equation: $^{42}_{19}\text{K} \rightarrow ^0_{-1}\text{e} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Beta ($\beta$) emission
- Explanation: In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, an electron (beta particle), and an antineutrino. The atomic number increases by 1, and the mass number remains the same.
- Solution: $^{42}_{19}\text{K} \rightarrow ^0_{-1}\text{e} + ^{42}_{20}\text{Ca}$
2.
Equation: $^{239}_{94}\text{Pu} \rightarrow ^4_2\text{He} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Alpha ($\alpha$) emission
- Explanation: In alpha decay, the nucleus emits an alpha particle ($^4_2\text{He}$), reducing the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4.
- Solution: $^{239}_{94}\text{Pu} \rightarrow ^4_2\text{He} + ^{235}_{92}\text{U}$
3.
Equation: $^{235}_{92}\text{U} \rightarrow \_\_\_\_\_\_ + ^{234}_{96}\text{Th}$
- Type of Reaction: Positron ($\beta^+$) emission or Electron Capture
- Explanation: To balance the equation, the missing particle must be a positron ($^0_{+1}\text{e}$) since the atomic number decreases by 1 and the mass number remains the same.
- Solution: $^{235}_{92}\text{U} \rightarrow ^0_{+1}\text{e} + ^{234}_{96}\text{Th}$
4.
Equation: $^1_1\text{H} + ^3_1\text{H} \rightarrow \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Fusion
- Explanation: This is a fusion reaction where two hydrogen isotopes combine to form a heavier nucleus. The total mass number and atomic number must be conserved.
- Solution: $^1_1\text{H} + ^3_1\text{H} \rightarrow ^4_2\text{He}$
5.
Equation: $^6_3\text{Li} \rightarrow ^1_0\text{n} + ^4_2\text{He} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Lithium-6 captures a neutron and splits into helium-4 and another particle. The missing particle must balance the atomic number and mass number.
- Solution: $^6_3\text{Li} + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow ^1_0\text{n} + ^4_2\text{He} + ^2_1\text{H}$
6.
Equation: $^{27}_{13}\text{Al} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow ^{30}_{15}\text{P} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Aluminum-27 captures an alpha particle and transforms into phosphorus-30, emitting a neutron.
- Solution: $^{27}_{13}\text{Al} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow ^{30}_{15}\text{P} + ^1_0\text{n}$
7.
Equation: $^9_4\text{Be} + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow \_\_\_\_\_\_ + ^4_2\text{He}$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Beryllium-9 captures a neutron and splits into helium-4 and another particle.
- Solution: $^9_4\text{Be} + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow ^6_3\text{Li} + ^4_2\text{He}$
8.
Equation: $^{37}_{19}\text{K} \rightarrow ^0_{+1}\text{e} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Positron ($\beta^+$) emission
- Explanation: Potassium-37 undergoes positron emission, converting a proton into a neutron, a positron, and a neutrino. The atomic number decreases by 1.
- Solution: $^{37}_{19}\text{K} \rightarrow ^0_{+1}\text{e} + ^{37}_{18}\text{Ar}$
9.
Equation: $\_\_\_\_\_\_ + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow ^{142}_{56}\text{Ba} + ^{91}_{36}\text{Kr} + 3^1_0\text{n}$
- Type of Reaction: Fission
- Explanation: This is a fission reaction where a heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei and neutrons. The total mass number and atomic number must be conserved.
- Solution: $^{235}_{92}\text{U} + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow ^{142}_{56}\text{Ba} + ^{91}_{36}\text{Kr} + 3^1_0\text{n}$
10.
Equation: $^{238}_{92}\text{U} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow \_\_\_\_\_\_ + ^1_0\text{n}$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Uranium-238 captures an alpha particle and emits a neutron, forming a new nucleus.
- Solution: $^{238}_{92}\text{U} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow ^{241}_{94}\text{Pu} + ^1_0\text{n}$
11.
Equation: $^{14}_6\text{C} \rightarrow ^{14}_7\text{N} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Electron capture
- Explanation: Carbon-14 captures an electron, converting a proton into a neutron, and forms nitrogen-14.
- Solution: $^{14}_6\text{C} + ^0_{-1}\text{e} \rightarrow ^{14}_7\text{N} + \nu$
12.
Equation: $^{187}_{75}\text{Re} + \_\_\_\_\_\_ \rightarrow ^{188}_{75}\text{Re} + ^1_1\text{H}$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Rhenium-187 captures a particle and emits a proton, forming rhenium-188.
- Solution: $^{187}_{75}\text{Re} + ^1_0\text{n} \rightarrow ^{188}_{75}\text{Re} + ^1_1\text{H}$
13.
Equation: $^{22}_{11}\text{Na} + \_\_\_\_\_\_ \rightarrow ^{22}_{10}\text{Ne}$
- Type of Reaction: Electron capture
- Explanation: Sodium-22 captures an electron, converting a proton into a neutron, and forms neon-22.
- Solution: $^{22}_{11}\text{Na} + ^0_{-1}\text{e} \rightarrow ^{22}_{10}\text{Ne} + \nu$
14.
Equation: $^{218}_{84}\text{Po} \rightarrow \_\_\_\_\_\_ + ^4_2\text{He}$
- Type of Reaction: Alpha ($\alpha$) emission
- Explanation: Polonium-218 undergoes alpha decay, emitting an alpha particle and forming a new nucleus.
- Solution: $^{218}_{84}\text{Po} \rightarrow ^{214}_{82}\text{Pb} + ^4_2\text{He}$
15.
Equation: $^{253}_{99}\text{Es} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow ^1_0\text{n} + \_\_\_\_\_\_$
- Type of Reaction: Artificial transmutation
- Explanation: Einsteinium-253 captures an alpha particle and emits a neutron, forming a new nucleus.
- Solution: $^{253}_{99}\text{Es} + ^4_2\text{He} \rightarrow ^1_0\text{n} + ^{256}_{101}\text{Md}$
Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{ll}
1. & ^{42}_{20}\text{Ca}, \text{Beta (\(\beta\)) emission} \\
2. & ^{235}_{92}\text{U}, \text{Alpha (\(\alpha\)) emission} \\
3. & ^0_{+1}\text{e}, \text{Positron (\(\beta^+\)) emission} \\
4. & ^4_2\text{He}, \text{Fusion} \\
5. & ^2_1\text{H}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
6. & ^1_0\text{n}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
7. & ^6_3\text{Li}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
8. & ^{37}_{18}\text{Ar}, \text{Positron (\(\beta^+\)) emission} \\
9. & ^{235}_{92}\text{U}, \text{Fission} \\
10. & ^{241}_{94}\text{Pu}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
11. & \nu, \text{Electron capture} \\
12. & ^1_0\text{n}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
13. & ^0_{-1}\text{e}, \text{Electron capture} \\
14. & ^{214}_{82}\text{Pb}, \text{Alpha (\(\alpha\)) emission} \\
15. & ^{256}_{101}\text{Md}, \text{Artificial transmutation} \\
\end{array}
}
\]
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of nuclear reaction equations worksheet.
