Question

What are the missing pieces of the nuclear equation above? You will need to determine the
missing parts for this transmutation. You will need to determine what numbers should be
substituted for A and Z, and you will need to determine what should be substituted for X.​

Answer 1

Answer:

The missing pieces of the nuclear equation are:

• A = 6
• Z = 3
• X = Li

Explanation:

1) Given nuclear reaction:

$^9_4Be+^1_1H->^A_ZX+^4_2He$

2) A: mass number:

Balance the mass numbers of both sides of the nuclear reaction.

The mass number is the superscript to the left of the chemical symbol:

• 9 + 1 = A + 4 ⇒ A = 10 - 4 = 6

3) Z: atomic number

Balance the atomic numbers of both sides of the nuclear reaction

The atomic number is the subscript to the left of the chemical symbol:

• 4 + 1 = Z + 2 ⇒ Z = 5 - 2 = 3

4) Identity of the element.

The atomic number, which is the number of protons, identifies the unknown element: X.

You can find this information in a periodic table.

The element with atomic number 3 is lithium, and its chemical symbol is Li, hence X = Li.