given the following nuclear reaction 252/99 Es-0/-1e+a/zX what is the atomic number of the new atom?
The atomic number of the new atom is 99.
In the given nuclear reaction:
252/99 Es → 0/-1e + a/zX
The atomic number of the new atom can be determined by considering the conservation of nucleons (mass number) and the conservation of charge.
In the reaction, a new atom is formed after the emission of a beta particle (0/-1e) and an alpha particle (a).
The sum of the mass numbers (nucleons) on both sides of the reaction must be equal, so:
252 = 0 + a
Solving for a, we find that a = 252.
Next, we need to consider the conservation of charge. The overall charge on both sides of the equation must be balanced.
On one side of the equation, the sum of charges is:
-1 (from the beta particle)
On the other side, the sum of charges is:
z (from the new atom) + 2 (from the alpha particle)
To balance the charges, -1 = z + 2
Solving for z, we find that z = -3.
However, the atomic number cannot be negative, so we take the absolute value of z, which gives us the atomic number of the new atom:
Atomic number = |z| = |-3| = 3
Therefore, the atomic number of the new atom is 3.