Nuclear Reactions

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Nuclear chemistry differs from traditional chemistry because elements are changed from one type into another. To describe the details of this process, isotopic notation is used. In isotopic notation the mass number (A) is written as a superscript and the atomic number (Z) is written as a subscript before the element symbol (E).


Balancing Nuclear Reactions
Two conditions must be met to balance nuclear reactions:
1. The sum of the masses of the reactants must equal the sum of the masses of the products. (i.e., the values of A must balance on both sides of the equation.)
2. The sum of the protons for the reactants must equal the sum of the protons for the products. (i.e., the values of Z must balance on both sides of the equation.)