Final answer:
To complete the nuclear equation ₂₃₈U⁹² → ₄He² + X, balance the mass and atomic numbers, resulting in the missing component being ₂₃₄Th⁹⁰.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asked to complete a nuclear equation. The original equation reads ₂₃₈U⁹² → ₄He² + X, where X is the missing component. To predict the missing component, we apply the law of conservation of mass and charge, which states that mass numbers and atomic numbers must balance on both sides of the equation.
- Balance the mass number: 238 (mass number of uranium) - 4 (mass number of the alpha particle, helium) = 234 (mass number of the missing component).
- Balance the atomic number: 92 (atomic number of uranium) - 2 (atomic number of the alpha particle, helium) = 90 (atomic number of the missing component).
Thus, the missing component is Th (Thorium) with a mass number of 234 and an atomic number of 90, usually written as ₂₃₄Th⁹⁰.