what would fill in the blank for the following nuclear decay reaction: ²¹⁶₈₄po→____ + ⁰₋₁e\na. ²¹⁶₈₃bi\nb…

what would fill in the blank for the following nuclear decay reaction: ²¹⁶₈₄po→____ + ⁰₋₁e\na. ²¹⁶₈₃bi\nb. ²¹³₈₅at\nc. ²¹³₈₃bi\nd. ²¹⁶₈₅at

what would fill in the blank for the following nuclear decay reaction: ²¹⁶₈₄po→____ + ⁰₋₁e\na. ²¹⁶₈₃bi\nb. ²¹³₈₅at\nc. ²¹³₈₃bi\nd. ²¹⁶₈₅at

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Apply mass - number conservation

In a nuclear reaction, the sum of mass - numbers on the left - hand side equals the sum of mass - numbers on the right - hand side. The mass - number of $^{216}{84}Po$ is 216. The mass - number of $^{0}{- 1}e$ is 0. So the mass - number of the unknown product is 216 (since $216=X + 0$).

Step2: Apply atomic - number conservation

The atomic number of $^{216}{84}Po$ is 84. The atomic number of $^{0}{-1}e$ is - 1. Let the atomic number of the unknown product be $Z$. Then $84=Z+( - 1)$. Solving for $Z$, we get $Z = 85$.

Answer:

D. $^{216}_{85}At$