Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Solving Problems: A Chemistry Handbook
Chemistry: Matter and Change
249
SOLVING PROBLEMS:
A CHEMISTRY HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 24
Example Problem 24-2
Balancing a Nuclear Reaction
Write a balanced nuclear equation for the alpha decay of 212
84 Po.
Write the parts of the equation you know.
212
84 Po 0 X ϩ 4
2 He, where X represents the unknown product
Using the conservation of mass number yields:
Mass number of X ϭ 212 Ϫ 4 ϭ 208
Using the conservation of atomic number yields:
Atomic number of X ϭ 84 Ϫ 2 ϭ 82
Use the periodic table to identify the unknown product. 208
82 Pb
Write the balanced equation. 212
84 Po 0 208
82 Pb ϩ 4
2 He
Practice Problems
4. Write a balanced nuclear equation for the alpha decay of each
of the following radioisotopes.
a. polonium-210 ( 210
84 Po)
c. radon-222 ( 222
86 Rn)
b. uranium-234 ( 234
92 U)
d. thorium-230 ( 230
90 Th)
5. Write a balanced nuclear equation for the beta decay of each of
the following radioisotopes.
a. 3
1 H
b. 235
92 U
c. 60
26 Fe
d. 234
90 Th
6. Complete each of the following nuclear equations.
a. 38
19 K 0 _____ ϩ Ϫ1
0 ␤
b. 142
61 Pm ϩ Ϫ1
0 e 0 _____
24.3 Transmutation
The conversion of an atom of one element to an atom of another element is called transmutation. All nuclear reactions except those
involving only gamma emissions are transmutation reactions. Some
unstable nuclei undergo transmutation naturally. Transmutation can
also be induced, or forced, by bombarding a stable nucleus with
radiation. The process of striking nuclei with high-velocity charged
particles is called induced transmutation. To induce transmutation,
charged particles must move at extremely high speeds in order to
overcome the electrostatic repulsion between themselves and the