Balancing Nuclear Equations

Name:

Period:

There are two types of nuclear reactions: Fission, where a nucleus breaks into two or more pieces, and
fusion where two or more nuclei combine to form a new element. In nuclear reactions, only the nucleus is
involved. Electrons are ignored. Some atomic nuclei are inherently unstable and spontaneously change or
decay. There are four types of decay:
Type

Symbol

Alpha

Betae- emission
Beta+
e- capture
Gamma

electron
+
Positron

Charge
of Mass(AMU)
particle
+2 (He
4
nucleus)
-1
0

Effect on
Effect on Atomic
Atomic #
Mass
decrease by 2
decrease by 4

Strength

increase by 1

Stopped by
paper
Aluminum Foil

+1

decrease by 1

Aluminum Foil

none

none

none

none

Lead

The net result of , - or + decay is a new element. In b- decay, a neutron decays into a p+ and an ewhich is then ejected. In + decay a p+ captures an e- and transforms into a neutron. But despite the nature
of the reaction the law of conservation of matter still applies and the equations are balanced the same way.
Note particle is a helium nucleus!
Another type of reaction occurs when something impacts a nucleus. These reactions result either in
the nucleus splitting (fission) or the combination of two or more nuclei to form a third, different nucleus
(fusion).
Balancing Nuclear Equations: Matter must be conserved including all p+ & n. Example:
Decay reaction ( decay)
Fission Reaction
Fusion Reaction:

219
86

Rn"24 He+ 215

84 Po

1
0
35
17

92
141
1
n+ 235
92 U"36 Kr+ 56 Ba +30 n
2
3
4
o
36
Cl+11H"18
Ar another example 1 H+ 1H"2 He + n

Practice

Fill in the missing !

symbol and name the reaction:

!
!
!

1.

3
1

H " ___________+ #10e

2.

232
92

3.

144
58

4.

65
30

5.

40
19

U"228
90Th + ___________
Ce"144
59 Pr+ ___________

Zn " ___________+ +10e

40
K"18
Ar + ________

6.

7
4

Be"47 Be + ________

7.

1
0

141
92
n+ 235
92 U " __________" 55 Cs+ 37 Rb + ___________

8.

222
86

9.

129
53

I"129
54 Xe + ________

10.

239
94

Pu " _________+ 24 He

11

15
8

Rn " _______+ 24 He

!
!

O"157 N + ________

!
12. Write a balanced nuclear equation for each decay process indicated.
a. The isotope Th-234 decays by an alpha emission.

!
b. The isotope Fe-59 decays by a beta emission.

c. The isotope Tc-99 decays by a gamma emission.

d. The isotope C-11 decays by a electron capture.

Balance these equations: Note 24 He is the only stable isotope of helium.

13.

1
1

H+ 37Li "

14.

7
4

Be + n o " ______ H + _______He

!
15. What is the balanced nuclear equation for the reaction of curium-246 with carbon-12 to produce
nobelium-254 and four neutrons?

!
16. What is the balanced nuclear equation for the reaction of californium-250 with boron-10 to produce
lawrencium-258 and two neutrons?

1.

3
1

2.

232
92

3.

144
58

4.

!
!

H"23 He+ #10e

- decay

4
U"228
90Th+ 2 He

decay

0
Ce"144
Pr+
59
#1e

- decay

65
30

65
Zn"29
Cu+ +10e

+ decay

5.

40
19

40
K"18
Ar+ +10e

+ decay

6.

7
4

Be"47 Be + #

7.

1
0

236
141
92
1
n+ 235
U"
U"
Cs+
Rb
+3
92
92
55
37
0n

8.

222
86

4
Rn"218
84 Po+ 2 He

decay

9.

129
53

0
I"129
Xe+
54
#1e

- decay

10.

239
94

4
Pu"235
92 U+ 2 He

decay

15

15

decay

11. 8 O" 7 N+ +1e

!
!

Fission

+ decay

12.

a.

234
90

b.

59
26

c.

99
43

d.

11
6

13.

1
1

14.

7
4

4
Th"230
Ra+
88
2 He

Tc"99
43Tc + #

59
Fe"27
Co+ #10e

C+ "10e#115 B

H+ 73 Li "2 42 He or 48 Be

Be+ 01n "2 21 H + 42 He!

or 11H + 31H+ 42 He

246
15. 96

254
Cm+126 C"102
No +4 01n

250
16. 98

258
Cf +105 B"103
Lr +2 01n