for A, Z, and X I'm typing it in the form A,Z,X (or X as a particle) since I obviously can't do sub or superscript...

Question

1,1,H + 1,1,p --> 2.1,H + ?

I thought initially the missing particle at the end would be either 0,-1,e or 0,1,e (beta emission/decay) but apparently it's not. I am not sure how to figure this out then...

Answer 1

Are you trying to write this (but I'm putting the mass on top but on the other side)?
₁H¹ + ₁p¹ ==>₂H¹ + X

If so, the subscripts must add and the superscripts must add.
On th bottom w have 1+1 on the left which must add to 2 + 0 on the right. The top number is 1+1 on the left which must add to 1 + 1 on the right. Thus X must be _oX¹
I hope this comes out right because if I make any itsy bitsy slip, everything from then on gets printed wrong. Anyway, you identify X

Answer 2

I know they need to balance out on both sides. I am just confused because I am pretty sure it should be 0,+1, e ...e being X. Webassign is telling me this is wrong but if that's true I don't understand why and need that explained....

Answer 3

I don't think so. An electron is -1e^0. I think oX^1 must be a neutron, right.

Answer 4

neutron was my first answer...i am using +1 e^0 to be a positron though, not electron.

Answer 5

Oh i just realized how you typed the equation has the product flipped.

so it's 1,1,H + 1,1P --> 2,1H + ?

order is A,Z,X where A is mass and X is the particle or element

Answer 6

I don't think I flipped anything.
Your 2,1,H is my 2H^1
Your 1,1,H is my 1H^1
If your 2,1,H is the same as my 2H^1, then the emitted product is a neutron oN^1.

Answer 7

Hmm...I don't know. My webassign is telling me it's not a neutron. Thanks

Answer 8

If your equation is
1H^1 + 1p^1 ==> 1H^2, then X will be 1X^0 and that is a positron.