Question

use the equation to complete the activity. (_{86}^{219}rn
ightarrow_{84}^{215}po + _{2}^{4}he). 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 based on the number of protons and neutrons. (2 points)

Explanation:

In a nuclear - reaction, the sum of atomic numbers (proton numbers) and the sum of mass numbers on both sides of the equation must be equal for the reaction to be balanced. For the given reaction $^{219}_{86}Rn
ightarrow^{215}_{84}Po + ^{4}_{2}He$, the sum of atomic numbers on the right - hand side is $84 + 2=86$, which is equal to the atomic number of radon on the left - hand side. The sum of mass numbers on the right - hand side is $215+4 = 219$, which is equal to the mass number of radon on the left - hand side.

Answer:

The reaction is balanced because the sum of atomic numbers and the sum of mass numbers are equal on both sides of the nuclear equation.