Question

From the following equations, pick out the possible nuclear reactions.

• A. ${}_6{C}^{13}{+}_1{H}^1{\to }_6{C}^{14}+4.3MeV$
• B. ${}_6{C}^{12}{+}_1{H}^1{\to }_7{N}^{13}+2MeV$
• C. ${}_7{N}^{14}{+}_1{H}^1{\to }_8{O}^{15}+7.3MeV$
• D. ${}_{92}{U}^{235}{+}_0{n}^1{\to }_{54}{X}^{140}{+}_{38}S{i}^{94}{+}_{20}{n}^1+\gamma +200MeV$

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

The correct options are
B ${}_6{C}^{12}{+}_1{H}^1{\to }_7{N}^{13}+2MeV$
C ${}_7{N}^{14}{+}_1{H}^1{\to }_8{O}^{15}+7.3MeV$

For a nuclear reaction to take place, both mass number as well as atomic number must be conserved during the reaction.

In option (A), atomic number is not conserved whereas in option (D), mass number is not conserved. Hence these reactions are not allowed.

While both mass number and atomic number are conserved in options (B) and (C), thus these reactions are possible.