Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry
11th Edition
ISBN:9781285869759
Author:Frederick A. Bettelheim, William H. Brown, Mary K. Campbell, Shawn O. Farrell, Omar Torres
Publisher:Frederick A. Bettelheim, William H. Brown, Mary K. Campbell, Shawn O. Farrell, Omar Torres
Chapter9: Nuclear Chemistry
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 9.18P
Related questions
Question
![### Nuclear Chemical Equation: Fill in the Missing Symbol
#### Problem Statement:
Fill in the missing symbol in this nuclear chemical equation.
\[ \frac{238}{92} U \rightarrow \frac{234}{90} \text{Th} + \boxed{\text{?}} \]
#### Explanation:
This nuclear equation represents a uranium-238 atom undergoing a decay process to become thorium-234. To understand what particle is emitted during this decay, we need to balance both the mass number (superscript) and the atomic number (subscript).
1. **Mass Number Balance:**
- Initial mass number (Uranium-238): 238
- Final mass number (Thorium-234): 234
- The difference: \( 238 - 234 = 4 \)
2. **Atomic Number Balance:**
- Initial atomic number (Uranium-92): 92
- Final atomic number (Thorium-90): 90
- The difference: \( 92 - 90 = 2 \)
From this information, we can deduce that the missing particle must have a mass number of 4 and an atomic number of 2, which corresponds to an alpha particle (\( \alpha \) or \( \frac{4}{2} \text{He} \)).
Thus, the complete nuclear equation is:
\[ \frac{238}{92} U \rightarrow \frac{234}{90} \text{Th} + \frac{4}{2} \text{He} \]
#### Additional Tools:
On the right side of the problem statement is a tool panel with three symbols:
- An "X" button, possibly for closing or canceling.
- An arrow indicating a refresh or redo action.
- A question mark for help or additional information.
These tools are likely part of an interactive interface to assist with solving the given problem.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fc0633024-a4bc-4f66-b9e9-fd2e8bdcc354%2F554fb911-66b3-4096-ae90-de947f00af99%2F2qu3l8i_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:### Nuclear Chemical Equation: Fill in the Missing Symbol
#### Problem Statement:
Fill in the missing symbol in this nuclear chemical equation.
\[ \frac{238}{92} U \rightarrow \frac{234}{90} \text{Th} + \boxed{\text{?}} \]
#### Explanation:
This nuclear equation represents a uranium-238 atom undergoing a decay process to become thorium-234. To understand what particle is emitted during this decay, we need to balance both the mass number (superscript) and the atomic number (subscript).
1. **Mass Number Balance:**
- Initial mass number (Uranium-238): 238
- Final mass number (Thorium-234): 234
- The difference: \( 238 - 234 = 4 \)
2. **Atomic Number Balance:**
- Initial atomic number (Uranium-92): 92
- Final atomic number (Thorium-90): 90
- The difference: \( 92 - 90 = 2 \)
From this information, we can deduce that the missing particle must have a mass number of 4 and an atomic number of 2, which corresponds to an alpha particle (\( \alpha \) or \( \frac{4}{2} \text{He} \)).
Thus, the complete nuclear equation is:
\[ \frac{238}{92} U \rightarrow \frac{234}{90} \text{Th} + \frac{4}{2} \text{He} \]
#### Additional Tools:
On the right side of the problem statement is a tool panel with three symbols:
- An "X" button, possibly for closing or canceling.
- An arrow indicating a refresh or redo action.
- A question mark for help or additional information.
These tools are likely part of an interactive interface to assist with solving the given problem.
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