Question

Which of the following is not a balanced nuclear equation?

Answer 1

Answer:

¹⁰₄Be —> ¹⁰₃Li + ⁰₋₁β

Explanation:

To know which equation is unbalanced, we shall compare the mass number and atomic number of the reactant and product together. This is illustrated below:

¹²¹₅₀Sn —> ⁰₋₁β + ¹²¹₅₁Sb

121 = 0 + 121

121 = 121

50 = –1 + 51

50 = 51

Thus the above equation is balanced

¹⁹⁰₇₈Pt —> ¹⁸⁶₇₆Os + ⁴₂α

190 = 186 + 4

190 = 190

78 = 76 + 2

78 = 78

Thus, the above equation is balanced

¹⁰₄Be —> ¹⁰₃Li + ⁰₋₁β

10 = 10 + 0

10 = 10

4 = 3 + (–1)

4 = 3 – 1

4 = 2

Thus, the above equation is unbalanced.

²³⁸₉₂U —> ⁴₂α + ²³⁴₉₀Th

238 = 4 + 234

238 = 238

92 = 2 + 90

92 = 92

Thus, the above equation is balanced.

From the illustrations made above, only ¹⁰₄Be —> ¹⁰₃Li + ⁰₋₁β

Is unbalanced.