Supply the missing atomic symbol to complete the equation for the following nuclear fission reaction.

1/0n +235/92U ------> 137/52 Te +?/?X + 2 1/0 n + energy

also how do you decipher whether its 2 1/0n rather than 3?

The lower numbers must add to the same on both sides. The upper numbers must add to the same on both sides.

On the bottom. You have 92 + 0 on the left. There must be 92 on the right. We have 52 + 0 showing; the remainder must be the lower number for X. Look on the periodic table to find that element.
Top numbers are done the same way.
235+1 on the left = 236.
On the right, 236 - 137 -2 = top number for X.

To determine the missing atomic symbol in the nuclear fission reaction, we need to use the principles of conservation of mass number and atomic number.

In the given equation, we have:

1/0n + 235/92U → 137/52Te + ?/?X + 2 1/0n + energy

Let's consider the conservation of mass number first. The mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. On the left-hand side of the equation, we have 1 neutron (1/0n) and 235 protons and neutrons together (235/92U). On the right-hand side, we have 137 protons and neutrons together (137/52Te), an unknown element represented by "?/?X," and 2 neutrons (2 1/0n). Since the mass number must be conserved, the sum of protons and neutrons on the left should be equal to the sum of protons and neutrons on the right.

235 + 1 = 137 + X + 2
236 = 139 + X

To solve for X, we rearrange the equation:

X = 236 - 139
X = 97

Therefore, the missing atomic symbol is 97/??X. The atomic mass number is 97, but we do not know the exact atomic symbol for this element based on the given information.

Now, regarding the number of neutrons (1/0n in the equation), the number "2" in front of it indicates that two neutrons are produced in this reaction. The superscript "1/0" represents the neutron's charge (neutral) and mass number (1). Therefore, it doesn't imply that there are two molecules of 1/0n. Instead, it signifies that two neutrons are emitted as a result of the fission process.

The missing atomic symbol can be determined by balancing the equation.

Since the equation is already quite balanced, the missing atomic symbol can be found by analyzing the total atomic numbers and total mass numbers on both sides of the equation.

Starting with the reactants, on the left-hand side, the atomic number of uranium (U) is 92, and the mass number is 235.

Looking at the products on the right-hand side, the atomic number of tellurium (Te) is 52, and the mass number is 137.

To balance the equation, the total atomic numbers and total mass numbers must be the same on both sides.

Since the initial neutron (1/0n) has no atomic number or mass number (since it is a neutral particle), we can equate the atomic numbers and mass numbers of only the uranium and tellurium.

Thus, the missing atomic symbol can be determined as follows:

92 + 0 = 52 + (Atomic number of the missing element)

235 + 0 = 137 + (Mass number of the missing element)

Solving these equations, we find that the atomic number of the missing element is 40 (92 - 52), and the mass number is 98 (235 - 137).

Therefore, the missing atomic symbol in the reaction is 98/40X.

Regarding the question of whether it's 2 1/0n instead of 3:

In the given nuclear fission reaction, the number of neutrons on the left-hand side is 1/0n, which means there is one neutron involved.

On the right-hand side, there are two 1/0n particles mentioned. This indicates the production of two neutrons as a result of the reaction.

In nuclear fission, the nuclei split into two smaller nuclei and release energy along with some neutrons. The production of two neutrons is a characteristic of this type of reaction.

Hence, 2 1/0n denotes the emission of two neutrons in the reaction.