225/88 Ra → 0/0Y + blank/88 Ra
The number in the box is the ____ and this form of ____ decay.
The number in the box is the atomic number and this form of radioactive decay is alpha decay.
The number in the box is the atomic number and this form of decay is alpha decay.
To determine the number in the box and the type of decay, we need to understand the process of radioactive decay and how to balance a nuclear equation.
In a nuclear reaction, the sum of the atomic numbers (proton numbers) and the sum of the mass numbers (protons + neutrons) must be conserved on both sides of the equation.
Let's start by looking at the given equation:
225/88 Ra → 0/0Y + blank/88 Ra
On the left side of the equation, we have ^225/88 Ra, which represents the radioactive element radium-225.
On the right side, we have two products: ^0/0Y, which is a symbol for a gamma particle (a high-energy photon), and blank/88 Ra, which represents the daughter nuclide.
To balance the equation, we need to determine the number in the blank and the type of decay. To do this, we need to consider the conservation of both mass number and atomic number.
Since the mass number of radium-225 (left side) is 225, the sum of the mass numbers on the right side should also be 225.
Looking at the products, a gamma particle has no mass or charge, so its contribution to the mass number is zero. Therefore, the mass number on the right side is determined solely by the daughter nuclide.
To balance the atomic number, we need to observe that the sum of the atomic numbers on both sides should be equal. On the left side, the atomic number of radium-225 is 88, so on the right side, the atomic number of the daughter nuclide should also be 88.
Based on the given information, we can conclude the missing number in the box is 225, and the type of decay is gamma decay.
So, the completed equation is:
225/88 Ra → 0/0Y + 225/88 Ra