Nuclear transmutation is the creation of an element by bombardment of an atom wi

Question

Nuclear transmutation is the creation of an element by bombardment of an atom with a high-energy particle. The result of nuclear transmutation is not always a more stable nucleus. Nuclear transmutation also occurs as a side reaction in nuclear reactors, where both useful and undesirable elements form.

Part A. Select the product of the following nuclear reaction: Cr+¹C2 ¹n + ? Express your answer as an element symbol including subscripts and superscripts.

Part B. If you had a high-energy xenon particle beam and wanted to make gold, what element would you bombard? ? +¹³Xe¹Au+¹n Express your answer as an element symbol including subscripts and superscripts.

Explanation / Answer

a)

Cr+ ¹C2 ¹n + ? ;

Let say unknown element is X, then from conservation of mass and number of proton and nuetron,

(number of neutron+ proton) of X= 50+14 - 2=62.

(number of proton) of X= 24+6=30 ; Zinc has the atomic number 30. so the unknown element should be Zinc Zn.

so

Cr+ ¹C2 ¹n + 6230Zn

b)

similarly,

? +¹³Xe¹Au+¹n;

Let say unknown element is Y, then from conservation of mass and number of proton and nuetron,

(number of neutron+ proton) of Y= 197+1-143=55

(number of proton) of Y= 79-54=25

The atomic number of Manganese is 25 so Y should be Mn

therefore equation is written as 5525 Mn +¹³Xe¹Au+¹n

It should be bombarded with Mn.

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