How do you balance nuclear fission equations?

Question

Caleb Adams · Accepted Answer

The sums of the superscripts and of the subscripts must be the same on each side of the equation.

Here are some links that show how to balance nuclear equations.

https://tutor.hix.ai

EXAMPLE

Complete the following equation for the fission of uranium-235.

#""_92^235"U" + _0^1"n" → _56^142"Ba" + ? + 3 _0^1"n"#

Solution

On the left hand side, sum of subscripts = 92 + 0 = 92
On the right hand side, sum of subscripts = 56 + #Z# + 3(0) = 56 + #Z#
#Z# = 92 – 56 = 36

On the left hand side, sum of superscripts = 235 + 1 = 236
On the right hand side, sum of superscripts = 142 + #A# + 3(1) = 145 + #A#
#A# = 236 – 145 = 91

The symbol for a nucleus is #""_Z^AX#.

The element with #Z# = 36 is krypton.

Thus, the unknown nucleus is #""_36^91"Kr"#.

The balanced nuclear equation is

#""_92^235"U" + _0^1"n" → _56^142"Ba" + _36^91"Kr" + 3 _0^1"n"#

Naomi Aronson · Answer

undefined To balance nuclear fission equations, ensure the total number of nucleons and the total charge are equal on both sides of the equation. Adjust coefficients in front of reactants and products to achieve this balance. Additionally, conserve mass and charge during the process.

Axel Alvarado · Answer

undefined To balance nuclear fission equations, you need to ensure that the total number of protons and neutrons on both sides of the equation remains the same. This is because nuclear reactions involve the rearrangement of nuclear particles, but the total number of particles should remain conserved. You can start by writing down the reactants and products of the fission reaction and then adjust coefficients to balance the equation. This involves changing the coefficients of the compounds involved so that the number of atoms of each element on the left side of the equation equals the number on the right side.