A nuclear reaction is shown:
B +
He →
H + ? .Which one of the following isotopes is the missing nuclear product?

Question

A nuclear reaction is shown: 
B + 
He → 
H + ? .Which one of the following isotopes is the missing nuclear product?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the nuclear reaction shown, a boron-11 nucleus (B) and a helium-4 nucleus (He) combine to form a hydrogen-1 nucleus (H) and a missing product. The missing product must have a mass number (A) of 4 (because 11+4=15, which is the A for H), and a charge (Z) of -2 (because 5-2=3, which is the Z for He-B). 
Among the answer choices, only Option C, carbon-12 (C), fits these criteria, as it has an A of 12 (4+8) and a Z of 6 (-2+8).

A Nuclear Reaction Is Shown