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Predict the missing component in the nuclear equation:

[tex]\[ _{94}^{239}Pu \rightarrow X + _{2}^{4}He \][/tex]


Sagot :

To predict the missing component in the given nuclear equation:

[tex]\[ {}_{94}^{239}\text{Pu} \rightarrow X + {}_{2}^{4}\text{He} \][/tex]

we need to determine both the atomic number and the mass number of the missing nucleus [tex]\( X \)[/tex].

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. Identify the atomic and mass numbers of the known elements:
- Plutonium ([tex]\( \text{Pu} \)[/tex]):
- Atomic number = 94
- Mass number = 239
- Helium ([tex]\( \text{He} \)[/tex]):
- Atomic number = 2
- Mass number = 4

2. Setup the equations for conservation of atomic number and mass number:
- Conservation of atomic number:
[tex]\[ 94 = Z_X + 2 \][/tex]
- Conservation of mass number:
[tex]\[ 239 = A_X + 4 \][/tex]

3. Solve the atomic number equation:
[tex]\[ 94 = Z_X + 2 \][/tex]
Rearrange to find [tex]\( Z_X \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ Z_X = 94 - 2 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ Z_X = 92 \][/tex]

4. Solve the mass number equation:
[tex]\[ 239 = A_X + 4 \][/tex]
Rearrange to find [tex]\( A_X \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ A_X = 239 - 4 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ A_X = 235 \][/tex]

5. Combine the results:
- The atomic number of the missing component [tex]\( X \)[/tex] is 92.
- The mass number of the missing component [tex]\( X \)[/tex] is 235.

Therefore, the missing component [tex]\( X \)[/tex] in the nuclear equation is:

[tex]\[ {}_{92}^{235}\text{X} \][/tex]

Given the atomic number 92, we can identify the element as Uranium (U).

Hence, the complete nuclear equation is:

[tex]\[ {}_{94}^{239}\text{Pu} \rightarrow {}_{92}^{235}\text{U} + {}_{2}^{4}\text{He} \][/tex]

So, the missing component is [tex]\( {}_{92}^{235}\text{U} \)[/tex].