Answer:
<em>The missing pieces of the nuclear equation are:</em>
- <u>A = 6</u>
- <u>Z = 3</u>
- <u>X = Li</u>
Explanation:
<em>1</em><u>) Given nuclear reaction:</u>
<u>2) A: mass number:</u>
Balance the mass numbers of both sides of the nuclear reaction.
The mass number is the superscript to the left of the chemical symbol:
- 9 + 1 = A + 4 ⇒ A = 10 - 4 = 6
<u>3) Z: atomic number</u>
Balance the atomic numbers of both sides of the nuclear reaction
The atomic number is the subscript to the left of the chemical symbol:
- 4 + 1 = Z + 2 ⇒ Z = 5 - 2 = 3
<u>4) Identity of the element.</u>
The atomic number, which is the number of protons, identifies the unknown element: X.
You can find this information in a periodic table.
The element with atomic number 3 is lithium, and its chemical symbol is Li, hence X = Li.