In the nuclear reaction ${}^{3}_{1}$ H + ${}^{3}_{1}$ H → X + ${}^{4}_{2}$ He,what is X?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the given nuclear reaction, two tritium nuclei (${}^{3}_{1}$H) combine to form a helium-4 nucleus (${}^{4}_{2}$He) and another particle X. Since the sum of mass numbers on both sides of the equation must be equal, and the sum of atomic numbers must also be equal, the missing particle X must account for the difference in mass and charge. The initial total mass number is 6 (3 from each tritium), and the final total mass number is 4 (from helium-4) plus the mass number of X. The initial total atomic number is 2 (1 from each tritium), and the final total atomic number is 2 (2 from helium-4). Since the helium nucleus accounts for all the charge, X must be neutral, indicating it is 2 neutrons.

In the Nuclear Reaction 13{}^{3}_{1}13​ H 13{}^{3}_{1}13​ H → X 24{}^{4}_{2}24​

In the Nuclear Reaction ${}^{3}_{1}$ H ${}^{3}_{1}$ H → X ${}^{4}_{2}$