Question

The nuclear equation shows the transmutation of a form of radon into polonium and an alpha particle. In one to two sentences, explain whether or not the reaction is balanced based on the number of protons and neutrons.

Answer 1

To determine if the nuclear equation is balanced, the sum of the atomic numbers (protons) and the sum of the mass numbers (protons + neutrons) on both sides of the equation must equal. If they do, then the reaction is balanced; if not, it is unbalanced.