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There are two types of nuclear reactions: Fission, where a nucleus breaks into two or more pieces, and
fusion where two or more nuclei combine to form a new element. In nuclear reactions, only the nucleus is
involved. Electrons are ignored. Some atomic nuclei are inherently unstable and spontaneously change or
decay. There are four types of decay:
Type
Symbol
Alpha
Betae- emission
Beta+
e- capture
Gamma
electron
+
Positron
Charge
of Mass(AMU)
particle
+2 (He
4
nucleus)
-1
0
Effect on
Effect on Atomic
Atomic #
Mass
decrease by 2
decrease by 4
Strength
increase by 1
Stopped by
paper
Aluminum Foil
+1
decrease by 1
Aluminum Foil
none
none
none
none
Lead
The net result of , - or + decay is a new element. In b- decay, a neutron decays into a p+ and an ewhich is then ejected. In + decay a p+ captures an e- and transforms into a neutron. But despite the nature
of the reaction the law of conservation of matter still applies and the equations are balanced the same way.
Note particle is a helium nucleus!
Another type of reaction occurs when something impacts a nucleus. These reactions result either in
the nucleus splitting (fission) or the combination of two or more nuclei to form a third, different nucleus
(fusion).
Balancing Nuclear Equations: Matter must be conserved including all p+ & n. Example:
Decay reaction ( decay)
Fission Reaction
Fusion Reaction:
219
86
1
0
35
17
92
141
1
n+ 235
92 U"36 Kr+ 56 Ba +30 n
2
3
4
o
36
Cl+11H"18
Ar another example 1 H+ 1H"2 He + n
Practice
!
!
!
1.
3
1
2.
232
92
3.
144
58
4.
65
30
5.
40
19
U"228
90Th + ___________
Ce"144
59 Pr+ ___________
6.
7
4
Be"47 Be + ________
7.
1
0
141
92
n+ 235
92 U " __________" 55 Cs+ 37 Rb + ___________
8.
222
86
9.
129
53
I"129
54 Xe + ________
10.
239
94
Pu " _________+ 24 He
11
15
8
Rn " _______+ 24 He
!
!
O"157 N + ________
!
12. Write a balanced nuclear equation for each decay process indicated.
a. The isotope Th-234 decays by an alpha emission.
!
b. The isotope Fe-59 decays by a beta emission.
1
1
H+ 37Li "
14.
7
4
!
15. What is the balanced nuclear equation for the reaction of curium-246 with carbon-12 to produce
nobelium-254 and four neutrons?
!
16. What is the balanced nuclear equation for the reaction of californium-250 with boron-10 to produce
lawrencium-258 and two neutrons?
1.
3
1
2.
232
92
3.
144
58
4.
!
!
- decay
4
U"228
90Th+ 2 He
decay
0
Ce"144
Pr+
59
#1e
- decay
65
30
65
Zn"29
Cu+ +10e
+ decay
5.
40
19
40
K"18
Ar+ +10e
+ decay
6.
7
4
Be"47 Be + #
7.
1
0
236
141
92
1
n+ 235
U"
U"
Cs+
Rb
+3
92
92
55
37
0n
8.
222
86
4
Rn"218
84 Po+ 2 He
decay
9.
129
53
0
I"129
Xe+
54
#1e
- decay
10.
239
94
4
Pu"235
92 U+ 2 He
decay
15
15
decay
!
!
Fission
+ decay
12.
a.
234
90
b.
59
26
c.
99
43
d.
11
6
13.
1
1
14.
7
4
4
Th"230
Ra+
88
2 He
Tc"99
43Tc + #
59
Fe"27
Co+ #10e
C+ "10e#115 B
H+ 73 Li "2 42 He or 48 Be
246
15. 96
254
Cm+126 C"102
No +4 01n
250
16. 98
258
Cf +105 B"103
Lr +2 01n