Question

Which nucleus balances the following nuclear equation for the fission of Uranium-235.

235/92 U + 1/0 n —-> 90/38 Sr + a/z X + 2 1/0 n + Y

a.) 146/54 Xe
b.) 144/52 Te
c.) 142/50 Sn
d.) 146/52 Te
e.) 144/54 Xe

I’ve been trying to figure this out for about 30mins now. I . Need. Help.

Answer 1

Here's the easy way. BTW, I don't know what Y is or why it's there. Perhaps that stands for gamma radiation. If so that's mass number zero and atomic number zero.
You make the upper numbers add up on both sides. (mass numbers)
You make the lower numbers add up on both sides. (atomic numbers)
92 + 0 = 38 + 0 + z. Solve for z. Look it up on the periodic table.
235 + 1 = 90 + a + 2. Solve for a.
Looks complicated but easy to do this by adding on both sides for atomic number and atomic mass.

Answer 2

mass number ... 235 + 1 ---> 90 + a + (2 * 1)

atomic number ... 92 + 0 ---> 38 + z + (2 * 0)

solve for a and z