Chapter 20, Problem 2SEPP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The radioactive chemical reaction for the decay of $\text{P}\text{u}$ is to be written.

Concept introduction:

In a balanced radioactive decay,

${\displaystyle \sum \text{Reactant mass number = }{\displaystyle \sum \text{Product mass number}}}$

And,

${\displaystyle \sum \text{Reactant atomic number = }{\displaystyle \sum \text{Product atomic number}}}$

In the balanced radioactive decay, the subscript present on the individual particles represents the atomic number while the superscript represents the atomic mass.