Question

Complete the following nuclear equations and identify X in each case:

(a) 135 I 53 → 135 Xe 54 + X
X =
(b) 40 K 19 → 0 Β −1 + X
X =
(c) 59 Co 27 + 1 n 0 → 56 Mn 25 + X
X =
(d) 235 U 92 + 1 n 0 → 99 Zr 40 + 135 Te 52 + 2X
X =

Answer 1

The unknown product X in each nuclear equation represents: an electron in iodine-135 decay, calcium-40 in potassium-40 decay, an alpha particle in cobalt-59 fission, and neutrons in the uranium-235 fission.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question requires completing nuclear equations and identifying the unknown product X in each reaction.

1. For the reaction 135 I 53 → 135 Xe 54 + X, X represents an electron (beta particle), because iodine undergoes beta decay to become xenon. The equation is completed as 135 I 53 → 135 Xe 54 + -1 e 0.
2. In the reaction 40 K 19 → 0 β -1 + X, X is 40 Ca 20. Potassium-40 undergoes beta decay to calcium-40 by emission of a beta particle.
3. The reaction 59 Co 27 + 1 n 0 → 56 Mn 25 + X yields 4 He 2 as X, also known as an alpha particle, as a result of nuclear fission. The equation is 59 Co 27 + 1 n 0 → 56 Mn 25 + 4 He 2.
4. For 235 U 92 + 1 n 0 → 99 Zr 40 + 135 Te 52 + 2X, X is 1 n 0, which represents a neutron. This is because in uranium fission reactions, neutrons are often released. Thus, the complete equation is 235 U 92 + 1 n 0 → 99 Zr 40 + 135 Te 52 + 2 (1 n 0).

Answer 2

(a) 135 I 53 → 135 Xe 54 + X

X = β-1 or electron (since beta decay involves the emission of an electron)

(b) 40 K 19 → 0 β-1 + X

X = 40 Ca 20 (since beta decay involves the emission of an electron and an atomic number of an element increases by 1 due to the conversion of a neutron into a proton)

(c) 59 Co 27 + 1 n 0 → 56 Mn 25 + X

X = 2 1 H 1 or 2 protons (since the sum of the atomic numbers on the left-hand side of the equation is 28, and on the right-hand side is 27, indicating a loss of 1 proton. Therefore, X must be 2 protons to balance the equation)

(d) 235 U 92 + 1 n 0 → 99 Zr 40 + 135 Te 52 + 2X

X = 1 n 0 or a neutron (since the sum of the nucleon numbers on the left-hand side is 236, and on the right-hand side is 236, indicating no loss or gain of nucleons. Therefore, X must be a neutron to balance the equation)