what has to balance in a properly written nuclear transmutation reaction?
example: Nitrogen-14 + helium-4 = Oxygen-17 and Hydrogen-one
can also be written as: N((alpha particle), p) O
does the reaction balance because it needs an alpha particle and an ejected particle on either side
Mass and charge must balance. The alpha particle is 2 protons, 2 neutrons, and they have to come from something (the He atom)
okay cool thanks
In a properly written nuclear transmutation reaction, several things need to be balanced:
1. Mass Number: The sum of the mass numbers of the reactants must be equal to the sum of the mass numbers of the products. In the given example, the mass number on both sides is balanced: 14 + 4 = 17 + 1.
2. Atomic Number: The sum of the atomic numbers of the reactants must be equal to the sum of the atomic numbers of the products. In this case, the atomic numbers are also balanced: 7 + 2 = 8 + 1.
3. Charge: The overall charge on both sides should be equal. In nuclear reactions, the charge is determined by the atomic numbers. If the atomic numbers are balanced, the charge is automatically balanced as well.
Now, let's break down the reaction you provided:
Nitrogen-14 + helium-4 = Oxygen-17 + Hydrogen-1
The reaction can also be written using a shorthand notation called nuclear reaction notation:
N((alpha particle), p)O
In this notation, the alpha particle (helium-4) acts as the projectile and collides with the nitrogen-14 target nucleus, resulting in the production of oxygen-17 and hydrogen-1.
To check if the reaction balances, you should calculate the sum of the mass numbers and atomic numbers on both sides and ensure they are equal. In this example, both the mass numbers and atomic numbers are balanced, indicating that the reaction is properly written and balanced.