The radiation emitted is a beta particle with a -1 charge. <span>Beta particles have a </span><span>medium penetrating power. An emission of beta particles requires shielding because of the hazards it pose to humans. Thus, one characteristic of this radiation is that some shielding is required.</span>
To balance any redox equation, first divide the reaction into two half reactions, and balance the atom whose oxidation number is changing:
<span>NO2 --> NH3 </span>
<span>H2 --> H2O </span>
<span>Next, balance oxygens by adding H2O where needed, and then balance hydrogen by adding H+: </span>
<span>NO2 --> NH3 + 2 H2O </span>
<span>H2O + H2 --> H2O </span>
<span>7 H+ + NO2 --> NH3 + 2 H2O </span>
<span>H2O + H2 --> H2O + 2 H+ </span>
<span>Next, balance charges by adding electrons (e-): </span>
<span>7 H+ + NO2 + 7 e- --> NH3 + 2 H2O </span>
<span>H2O + H2 --> H2O + 2 H+ + 2 e- </span>
<span>Now, multiply one or both equations by small numbers to make the number of electrons the same in the two half reactions. In this case, multiply the top equation by 2 and the bottom one by 7 to give you 14 electrons in each half reaction: </span>
<span>14 H+ + 2 NO2 + 14 e- --> 2 NH3 + 4 H2O </span>
<span>7 H2O + 7 H2 --> 7 H2O + 14 H+ + 14 e- </span>
<span>Finally, add the two half reactions and simplify by cancelling anything that is on both sides. This will give you the final balanced reaction: </span>
<span>2 NO2 + 7 H2 --> 2 NH3 + 4 H2O </span>
<span>So, the answer to the original question is (A) 7
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