Complete and balance the following nuclear equations by supplying the missing particle: (e) ⁵⁹₂₆Fe → ⁰_-1e + ?

Key Concepts

Nuclear Reactions

Nuclear reactions involve changes in an atom's nucleus and can result in the transformation of one element into another. These reactions are governed by the conservation of mass and charge, meaning that the total number of protons and neutrons must remain constant before and after the reaction.

Beta Decay

Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a neutron in an atomic nucleus is transformed into a proton, emitting a beta particle (an electron or positron) in the process. This transformation increases the atomic number of the element by one while keeping the mass number unchanged, leading to the formation of a new element.

Balancing Nuclear Equations

Balancing nuclear equations requires ensuring that both the mass number and atomic number are conserved. This means that the sum of the mass numbers and the sum of the atomic numbers on both sides of the equation must be equal, allowing for the identification of any missing particles in the reaction.