Nuclear Equations

In nuclear equations, the symbols represent atomic nuclei. The superscript indicates the mass number and superscript indicates atomic number. When balancing nuclear equations, the sum of the mass numbers of the reactant must be equal to the sum of the mass numbers of the product. The same is true of the atomic numbers.

Example:

Write the balanced equation for the following nuclear reactions

a.      Ga-70 undergoes beta decay

b.      Co-56 undergoes positron and gamma decay.

Solution:

Write the skeleton equation including the mass numbers, atomic numbers, and symbols of all the particles using X for the unknown nuclide.

a.      Mass number :                  70 =70 +0

      ⁷⁰₃₁Ga → ⁷⁰₃₂X + ⁰_-1β

                 Atomic Number:              31 = 32 – 1

From the periodic table, the element with atomic number 32 is germanium, so

⁷⁰₃₁Ga → ⁷⁰₃₂Ge + ⁰_-1β

b.      Mass number:                   56 = 56 + 0 + 0

      56 = 56

      ⁵⁶₂₇Co → ⁵⁶₂₆X + ⁰₁β + ⁰₀⅟

     Atomic number:                 27 = 26 + 1

Again from the periodic table, the element with atomic number 26 is iron, so

⁵⁶₂₇Co → ⁵⁶₂₆Fe + ⁰₁β + ⁰₀⅟