The nuclear fusion of two deuterium nuclei gives a tritium nucleus,a positron, and nuclide X.Identify nuclide X.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nuclear fusion of two deuterium nuclei (which each have one proton and one neutron) results in a tritium nucleus (which has one proton and two neutrons) and a positron. Since mass must be conserved in this reaction, the total number of particles on both sides of the equation must be equal. Therefore, nuclide X must have no charge (since the positron has a positive charge) and a mass number of 2 (since the tritium nucleus has a mass number of 3). The only option that satisfies these criteria is a neutron, which has a mass number of 1 and no charge.

The Nuclear Fusion of Two Deuterium Nuclei Gives a Tritium