Answer
Missing thing: $^{1}_0n$
Complete nuclear equation:
$^1_0n + ^{59}_{27}Co --\gt ^{56}_{25}Mn + ^4_2He$
Work Step by Step
1. Calculate the mass number of the missing atom.
- The sum of the mass numbers on the right side must be equal to that on the left side.
$? + 59 = 56 + 4$
$? + 59 = 60$
$? = 60 - 59$
$? = 1$
2. Calculate the atomic number of the missing atom.
- The sum of the atomic numbers on the right side must be equal to that on the left side.
$? + 27 = 25 + 2$
$? + 27 = 27$
$? = 27 - 27$
$? = 0$
3. Identify the symbol.
- A thing with atomic mass equal to 1 and no protons (atomic number) is a neutron. Its symbol is "n".
4. Write the symbol with the atomic and mass numbers, and write the complete nuclear equation:
$^{1}_0n$
$^1_0n + ^{59}_{27}Co --\gt ^{56}_{25}Mn + ^4_2He$