Question

A plutonium atom undergoes nuclear fission. Identify the missing element in the nuclear equation.

Answer 1

Answer:

$^92^{234}U$

Explanation:

Plutonium is a heavy atom with a high mass to neutron ration (N/Z). Atoms with Z > 50 and an M/Z ratio of 1.25 or above tend to decay in a nuclear fission in which they release alpha particle, also known as a helium nucleus.

Let's say that our products are alpha particle and some unknown nucleus X with a mass of M and an atomic number of Z. Then our nuclear decay equation becomes:

$_94^{238}Pu\rightarrow _2^4\alpha + _Z^M{X}$

In order to identif X, we need to apply the law of mass conservation first. That is, the mass of reactants should be equal to the mass of products:

$238 = 4 + M\therefore M = 238 - 4 = 234$

Similarly, apply the law of charge conservation to identify Z:

$94 = 2 + Z\therefore Z = 92$

Z = 92 corresponds to uranium, meaning X is:

$^92^{234}U$