Question

Adding an alpha particle to the nucleus of sodium atom produces which new element?

• A. $Mg$
• B. $P$
• C. $Al$
• D. $Ne$

Answer 1

The correct option is C

$\mathrm{Al}$

Definition: An $\mathrm{\alpha }$-particle is simply the nucleus of completely ionized Helium 4-atoms.

Overview of reaction- When an sodium ($\mathrm{Na}$) reacts with an alpha particle (${}_2{}^4\mathrm{He}$) produces an new element X. The atomic number of element X calculated by observing the reaction occurs between them.

${}_{11}{}^{23}\mathrm{Na}+{}_2{}^4\mathrm{\alpha }\to {}_{\mathrm{Z}}{}^{\mathrm{A}}\mathrm{X}$

Where; $\mathrm{A}$ and $\mathrm{Z}$ are mass number and atomic number of new element.

so, the value of $\mathrm{A}$and $\mathrm{Z}$ will be:

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{A}=23+4 \\ \mathrm{A}=27 \end{gathered}$$ ,$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Z}=11+2 \\ \mathrm{Z}=13 \end{gathered}$$

The atomic number of new element obtained as $13$. Aluminium ($\mathrm{Al}$) contains $13$ protons.

So, the new element formed by the reaction of sodium atom and alpha particle is Aluminium.

Final answer:

Hence, the option (C) is correct.