225/88 RA → 0/-1 e + blank/89 Ac
Fill in the blanks
The missing box would be the number ____ ? And this is a form of ____ decay?
The missing box would be the number -1. And this is a form of beta decay.
To fill in the blanks, we need to determine the missing number and the type of decay involved.
Given:
225/88 RA → 0/-1 e + blank/89 Ac
To balance the equation, we need to make sure the total atomic number and mass number is conserved on both sides.
The atomic number represents the number of protons, so in this case, the atomic number of radium (Ra) is 88. The atomic number of an electron (e) is 0, and the atomic number of actinium (Ac) is 89.
The mass number represents the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom. Radium (Ra) has a mass number of 225, and actinium (Ac) has a mass number of 89.
Looking at the equation, we can see that radium (Ra) is undergoing alpha decay, which involves the emission of a helium nucleus (alpha particle). The helium nucleus consists of 2 protons (atomic number 2) and 2 neutrons (mass number 4).
Therefore, to balance the equation:
225/88 RA → 0/-1 e + 4/2 He + blank/89 Ac
The missing number in the blank is 221, representing the mass number of the remaining actinium isotope.
So, the missing box would be the number 221, and this is a form of alpha decay.
To fill in the blanks, we need to understand the given equation, which represents a nuclear decay process.
The equation provided is: 225/88 RA → 0/-1 e + blank/89 Ac
Let's break it down:
- The top number of the fraction (225) represents the atomic mass of the radioactive atom (RA).
- The bottom number of the fraction (88) represents the atomic number of the radioactive atom (RA).
- On the right-hand side of the arrow, we have the symbol for an electron, represented as 0/-1 e. The superscript "0" indicates no change in the atomic mass, while the subscript "-1" indicates the electron has a charge of -1.
- The blank represents the atomic mass of the daughter atom (Ac).
- Finally, the atomic number of the daughter atom (Ac) is given as 89.
Now, let's figure out the missing values:
Since we have 225-0 = 225 and 88-(-1) = 89, the sum of the atomic masses and atomic numbers on both sides of the equation must be equal to conserve mass and charge.
Therefore, the missing box (blank) would be "225" since the atomic mass of the daughter atom (Ac) is equal to the atomic mass of the parent atom (RA).
Based on the daughter atom (Ac) having an atomic number of 89, we can conclude that this decay process is a form of alpha decay. In alpha decay, the parent atom emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons (equivalent to a helium nucleus).
In summary, the missing box contains the number "225," and this is a form of alpha decay.