Question

what would fill in the blank for the following nuclear decay reaction: ²¹⁶₈₄po→____ + ⁰₋₁e
a. ²¹⁶₈₃bi
b. ²¹³₈₅at
c. ²¹³₈₃bi
d. ²¹⁶₈₅at

Explanation:

Step1: Apply mass - number conservation

In a nuclear reaction, the sum of mass - numbers on the left - hand side equals the sum of mass - numbers on the right - hand side. The mass - number of $^{216}_{84}Po$ is 216. The mass - number of $^{0}_{- 1}e$ is 0. So the mass - number of the unknown product is 216 (since $216=X + 0$).

Step2: Apply atomic - number conservation

The atomic number of $^{216}_{84}Po$ is 84. The atomic number of $^{0}_{-1}e$ is - 1. Let the atomic number of the unknown product be $Z$. Then $84=Z+( - 1)$. Solving for $Z$, we get $Z = 85$.

Answer:

D. $^{216}_{85}At$