The nuclear equation shows the transmutation of a form of radon into polonium and an alpha particle. In one to two sentences, explain whether or not the reaction is balanced
The nuclear equation provided is balanced. This can be verified by checking both the atomic numbers and the mass numbers on both sides of the equation. On the left, radon (Rn) has an atomic number of 86 and a mass number of 219. On the right, polonium (Po) has an atomic number of 84 and a mass number of 215, and the alpha particle (α), which is a helium nucleus, has an atomic number of 2 and a mass number of 4. Adding atomic numbers, 84 (for Po) and 2 (for α), gives 86, which matches radon's atomic number. Adding mass numbers, 215 (for Po) and 4 (for α), gives 219, which matches radon's mass number. Therefore, the reaction conserves both atomic and mass numbers, and thus, it is balanced.
shorten
The nuclear equation is balanced because the sum of atomic and mass numbers before and after the reaction are equal: 219 (mass) and 86 (atomic) for radon equals 215 (mass) of polonium plus 4 (mass of the alpha particle) and 84 (atomic) of polonium plus 2 (atomic of the alpha particle).
To determine if the nuclear equation is balanced, we need to compare the sum of the atomic numbers on both sides of the equation with the sum of the mass numbers. If they are equal, then the equation is balanced. In this case, the sum of the atomic numbers (84+2) on the right side is equal to the atomic number (86) on the left side, and the sum of mass numbers (215+4) on the right side is equal to the mass number (219) on the left side. Therefore, the reaction is balanced.
