In the nuclear reaction $^{16}
_{8}
O +
^{1}
_{0}
n → X + ^{4}
_{2}

He$, what is X?

Question

In the nuclear reaction $^{16}
_{8}
 O + 
^{1} 
_{0}
n → X + ^{4}
_{2}

He$, what is X?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the reaction, the atomic number must be conserved. The atomic number on the left side is 8 (oxygen) and 0 (neutron), which adds up to 8. On the right side, the atomic number is 2 (helium), which means the atomic number of X must be 6. The mass number must also be conserved. The mass number on the left side is 16 and 1, which adds up to 17. On the right side, the mass number is 4, which means the mass number of X must be 13. The only option that fits these criteria is B, which has an atomic number of 6 and a mass number of 13.

In the Nuclear Reaction 816O+01n→X+24He^{16}_{8} O + ^{1} _{0}n → X + ^{4}_{2} He816​O+01​n→X+24​He

In the Nuclear Reaction $^{16}_{8} O + ^{1} _{0}n → X + ^{4}_{2} He$