Textbook Question
Where does fusion occur naturally?
Ch.5 Nuclear Chemistry
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353
Not the one you use?Change textbookSelect a different textbook
Table of contents
- Ch.1 Chemistry in Our Lives11
- Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements80
- Ch.3 Matter and Energy54
- Ch.4 Atoms and Elements51
- Ch.5 Nuclear Chemistry42
- Ch.6 Ionic and Molecular Compounds57
- Ch.7 Chemical Quantities and Reactions41
- Ch.8 Gases29
- Ch.9 Solutions51
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases and Equilibrium65
- Ch.11 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons78
- Ch.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones83
- Ch.13 Carbohydrates54
- Ch.14 Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, and Amides90
- Ch.15 Lipids61
- Ch.16 Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes84
- Ch.17 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis83
- Ch.18 Metabolic Pathways and ATP Production67
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 5, Problem 65a
Write the balanced nuclear equation for each of the following:
a. When two oxygen-16 atoms collide, one of the products is an alpha particle.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the reactants and products in the nuclear reaction. The problem states that two oxygen-16 atoms collide, and one of the products is an alpha particle (⁴₂He). The other product is unknown and needs to be determined.
Write the initial nuclear equation with placeholders for the unknown product: , where X represents the unknown product.
Apply the law of conservation of mass number (A). The total mass number of the reactants must equal the total mass number of the products. For the reactants, the total mass number is 16 + 16 = 32. For the products, the mass number of the alpha particle is 4, so the mass number of X must be 32 - 4 = 28.
Apply the law of conservation of atomic number (Z). The total atomic number of the reactants must equal the total atomic number of the products. For the reactants, the total atomic number is 8 (oxygen) + 8 (oxygen) = 16. For the products, the atomic number of the alpha particle is 2, so the atomic number of X must be 16 - 2 = 14.
Determine the identity of the unknown product (X) based on its atomic number (Z = 14). The element with atomic number 14 is silicon (Si). The balanced nuclear equation is: .
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
1mWas this helpful?
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 differ from chemical reactions, which involve electron interactions. In this context, the collision of oxygen-16 atoms leading to the production of an alpha particle exemplifies a nuclear reaction where the nucleus is altered.
Recommended video:
Guided course
1:30
Alcohol Reactions: Dehydration Reactions Concept 1
Alpha Particle
An alpha particle is a type of nuclear radiation consisting of two protons and two neutrons, essentially a helium nucleus. It is emitted during certain types of radioactive decay and nuclear reactions. Understanding alpha particles is crucial for balancing nuclear equations, as they represent a significant change in the atomic structure of the reacting nuclei.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:22Alpha Decay Reaction Example
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. Properly balancing the equation for the collision of oxygen-16 atoms and the resulting alpha particle is essential for accurately representing the nuclear process.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:32Balancing Chemical Equations (Simplified) Concept 1
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Identify each of the following as alpha decay, beta decay, positron emission, or gamma emission:
c. 21885At → 21483Bi + 42He
Textbook Question
Write the balanced nuclear equation for each of the following:
e. In-113m (γ emission)
Textbook Question
Complete each of the following nuclear equations:
d. 23m12Mg → ? + 00γ
Textbook Question
Write the balanced nuclear equation for each of the following:
a. Polonium-210 decays to give lead-206.
Textbook Question
What are the products in the fission of uranium-235 that make possible a nuclear chain reaction?