In the nuclear reaction $\begin{array} { c }
16 \
8
\end{array}$ O + $\begin{array} { l }
4 \
2
\end{array}$ He ? X + $\begin{array} { l }
19 \
10
\end{array}$ Ne, what is X?

Question

In the nuclear reaction $\begin{array} { c } 
16 \
8
\end{array}$ O + $\begin{array} { l } 
4 \
2
\end{array}$ He ? X + $\begin{array} { l } 
19 \
10
\end{array}$ Ne, what is X?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The total mass and atomic numbers must be conserved. The mass number on the left is 20 (16+4), and on the right, it is 19 plus the mass number of X. The atomic number on the left is 10 (8+2), and on the right, it is 10 plus the atomic number of X. Therefore, X must be a neutron, which has a mass number of 1 and an atomic number of 0.

In the Nuclear Reaction 168\begin{array} { c } 16 \\8\end{array}168​ O

In the Nuclear Reaction $\begin{array} { c } 16 \\8\end{array}$ O