Textbook Question
(c) What other substances are used as a moderator in nuclear reactor designs?
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Ch.21 - Nuclear Chemistry
Chapter 21, Problem 61
Complete and balance the nuclear equations for the following fission or fusion reactions:
(a) 21H + 21H → 32He + _
(b) 23992U + 10n¡ → 13351Sb + 9841Nb + _ 10n
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the type of reaction: This is a fusion reaction where two deuterium nuclei (\(^2_1\text{H}\)) combine.
Write the initial reactants: \(^2_1\text{H} + ^2_1\text{H}\).
Write the known product: \(^3_2\text{He}\).
Determine the missing product by balancing the atomic and mass numbers. The sum of the mass numbers on the left (2 + 2 = 4) must equal the sum on the right (3 + x), and the sum of the atomic numbers on the left (1 + 1 = 2) must equal the sum on the right (2 + y).
Solve for the missing particle: The missing particle is a neutron, \(^1_0\text{n}\), since it balances both the mass number (4 = 3 + 1) and the atomic number (2 = 2 + 0).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Nuclear Reactions
Nuclear reactions involve changes in an atom's nucleus and can result in the transformation of elements. They include processes such as fission, where a heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei, and fusion, where light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. Understanding the basic principles of these reactions is essential for balancing nuclear equations.
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Nuclear Binding Energy
Balancing Nuclear Equations
Balancing nuclear equations requires ensuring that both the mass number and atomic number are conserved during the reaction. This means that the total number of protons and neutrons before the reaction must equal the total after the reaction. Identifying the missing particles, such as neutrons or protons, is crucial for achieving balance.
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Isotopes
Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different mass numbers. In nuclear reactions, isotopes play a significant role as they can participate in fission or fusion processes. Recognizing the isotopes involved helps in accurately writing and balancing nuclear equations.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Complete and balance the nuclear equations for the following fission reactions:
(a) 23592U + 10n → 16062Sm + 7230Zn + _ 10n
(b) 23994Pu + 10n → 14458Ce + _ + 2 10n
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Textbook Question
The spent fuel elements from a fission reactor are much more intensely radioactive than the original fuel elements. (b) Given that only two or three neutrons are released per fission event and knowing that the nucleus undergoing fission has a neutron-to-proton ratio characteristic of a heavy nucleus, what sorts of decay would you expect to be dominant among the fission products?
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