225/88 RA---- 4/2He+221/ blank Rn The missing box would be the number and this is a form of decay.
The missing box would be 85 (Rn) and this is a form of alpha decay.
To determine the missing number and type of decay in the given nuclear equation, we can use the principle of conservation of mass number and atomic number.
Given:
225/88 RA → 4/2He + 221/blank Rn
To balance the mass number (top number), we add the mass numbers of the reactants (right side) to obtain the mass number of the product (left side).
88 + 2 = 90
This means the mass number of the radon Rn is 90.
To balance the atomic number (bottom number), we add the atomic numbers of the reactants (right side) to obtain the atomic number of the product (left side).
88 + 2 = 90
This means the atomic number of the radon Rn is also 90.
Therefore, the missing number in the equation is 90, and the type of decay is alpha decay.
To determine the missing number and the type of decay in the given equation 225/88 RA → 4/2He + 221/blank Rn, we need to understand a few key concepts in nuclear decay.
In the equation, the element with the symbol "RA" (radium) is undergoing nuclear decay, resulting in the formation of two products: a helium atom with the symbol "He" and an unknown element with the symbol "Rn" (radon).
The atomic number (bottom number) of an element represents the number of protons in its nucleus, while the mass number (top number) indicates the total number of protons and neutrons.
Since the atomic number of radium is 88, it means that it has 88 protons. During the nuclear decay, the radium atom will lose two protons because the helium atom is formed, which has an atomic number of 2. Therefore, the atomic number of the resulting element, radon (Rn), would be 88 - 2 = 86.
Now we can determine the missing number by looking at the mass numbers. The mass numbers of the reactants (left side of the equation) and the products (right side of the equation) should be equal to each other to conserve mass.
The mass number of radium (RA) is given as 225. The mass number of helium (He) is 4. Therefore, the mass number of radon (Rn) can be found by subtracting the mass numbers of radium and helium.
225 - 4 = 221
So, the missing number in the equation is 221, which represents the mass number of radon.
In terms of the type of decay, this equation represents alpha decay. Alpha decay occurs when an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons (equivalent to a helium nucleus). This is denoted by the symbol "α" or "4/2He" in the equation.