When ordinary sodium (²³Na, Z = 11) is bombarded with deuterons, the products are a neutron and: A) ²⁷Al, Z = 13 B) ²⁴Na, Z = 11 C) ²⁴Mg, Z = 12 D) ²⁵Mg, Z = 12 E) ²⁰Ne, Z = 10

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a deuteron (proton + neutron) collides with a sodium atom, it can cause nuclear fusion to occur, resulting in a neutron being produced and the sodium atom being transformed into a different element. Since the sodium atom has atomic number 11, it will gain a proton from the deuteron, becoming an element with atomic number 12. The best choice that fits this description is D, which is magnesium with atomic number 12.

When Ordinary Sodium (23Na, Z = 11) Is Bombarded with Deuterons

When Ordinary Sodium (²³Na, Z = 11) Is Bombarded with Deuterons