A nuclear equation is balanced when the ______ is equal on both sides of the equation.
A) identity of the atoms
B) charges on the atoms
C) identity of the radioactive particles
D) sum of the atomic numbers
E) sum of the atomic and mass numbers

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sum of the atomic and mass numbers must be equal on both sides of a nuclear equation to ensure that both the number of protons (which determines the element and thus the identity of the atoms) and the total number of nucleons (protons and neutrons, which determines the mass number) are conserved during the nuclear process.

A Nuclear Equation Is Balanced When the ______ Is Equal