Nuclear Fission
Nuclear fission is a type of nuclear reaction in which heavier nuclei split into lighter nuclei by releasing a large quantity of energy. The elements like uranium-235 and plutonium-239 isotope undergo nuclear fission releasing energy. When nuclei undergo fission, some quantity of mass is lost. The lost mass is converted to nuclear energy. Nuclear fission reaction is used in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs. In nuclear power plants, nuclear reactors are used to generate electricity.
Endothermic Nuclear Reaction
A nuclear reaction can be described as a process where two atoms, or two nuclei or nucleus and subatomic particles such as a proton, neutron interact together, and a large amount of energy is produced and new elements are also produced.
![**4) Complete the following nuclear equation:**
\[
\begin{align*}
\text{ }^{199}_{78}\text{Pt} &\; \to \; ^{199}_{79}\text{Au} \; + \; \_\_\_\_ \\
\end{align*}
\]
**What kind of subatomic particle was emitted?**
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### Explanation:
This nuclear equation represents a transformation of a platinum (Pt) isotope into a gold (Au) isotope. The atomic number increases from 78 to 79, while the mass number remains 199, suggesting the emission of a beta particle (\( \beta^- \)) during beta decay. A beta particle is an electron emitted from the nucleus when a neutron transforms into a proton.
### Answer:
The emitted subatomic particle is a **beta particle (\( \beta^- \))**.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F286b2040-fc3a-45f7-b92f-0387e4b17965%2F35881d63-6f4e-4b5a-b5e5-6c5c9aa8160e%2Flxfekcj_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
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