A proton strikes an oxygen-18 nucleus,producing fluorine-18 and another particle X.What is the other particle X?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the nuclear reaction, a proton (with a positive charge) strikes an oxygen-18 nucleus (with a positive charge), and as a result, a fluorine-18 nucleus (with a positive charge) and another particle are formed. Conservation of charge dictates that the overall charge on both sides must be equal, so the particle X must have no charge. Additionally, the total number of nucleons (protons and neutrons) on both sides must be equal. Oxygen-18 has 8 protons and 10 neutrons, while fluorine-18 has 9 protons and 9 neutrons. Thus, the total number of nucleons on the left side was 18, and the same must be true of the right side. Since fluorine-18 has 9 protons and 9 neutrons, the other particle must have 0 protons and 9 neutrons- which is the definition of a neutron. Therefore, the answer is A) neutron.

A Proton Strikes an Oxygen-18 Nucleus,producing Fluorine-18 and Another Particle