Balancing Nuclear Reactions Worksheet

Balancing Nuclear Reactions

Read each question carefully and provide the best answer. Show all your work for calculations.

Nuclear reactions involve changes in the nucleus of an atom, often resulting in the formation of new elements or isotopes. Unlike chemical reactions, nuclear reactions can release tremendous amounts of energy. Balancing nuclear reactions requires ensuring that both the mass number (superscript) and the atomic number (subscript) are conserved on both sides of the equation.

1. In a balanced nuclear reaction, the total   number and the total   number must be conserved.

2. Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle, which is a   nucleus.

3. Beta decay involves the emission of a beta particle, which is an  .

4. Nuclear fission is the process where a heavy nucleus splits into two or more   nuclei.

Complete and balance the following alpha decay reactions:

1. ²³⁸₉₂U → ⁴₂He +  

2. ²²⁶₈₈Ra →   + ²²²₈₆Rn

Complete and balance the following beta decay reactions:

1. ¹⁴₆C → ⁰₋₁e +  

2. ¹³¹₅₃I →   + ¹³¹₅₄Xe

1. Which of the following particles is emitted during alpha decay?

2. What happens to the atomic number during beta decay?

1. Consider the nuclear fission of Uranium-235 when struck by a neutron: ¹₀n + ²³⁵₉₂U → ¹⁴¹₅₆Ba + ⁹²₃₆Kr + 3¹₀n + energy. Explain how both the mass number and atomic number are conserved in this reaction.

Nuclear power plants utilize controlled nuclear reactions to generate electricity. The image below shows a typical nuclear power plant.

Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using nuclear reactions for energy production.