Question

In the nuclear equation: 222 86 Radon becomes 4 2 Helium plus blank. The characteristics of the missing particle are

Answer 1

We can write the equation for the nuclear reaction:

²²²₈₆R ——> ₂⁴He +.......

Let the element to fill the blank be X

The superscript represent the mass number whereas the subscript represents the atomic number.

For nuclear reactions, the total mass number and total atomic number on the right hand side should be equal to the total mass number and total atomic number on the LHS.

From the equation :

Mass number of X Will be :

222 - 4 = 218

Atomic number of X will be :

86 - 2 = 84

The element will thus be:

₈₄²¹⁸X