Question

Which of the following correctly completes this nuclear reaction: ${}_7^{14}N{+}_2^{4}He\to X{+}_1^{1}H$? In the reaction what is $X$?

• A. ${}_8^{17}O$
• B. ${}_9^{16}O$
• C. ${}_8^{17}N$
• D. ${}_7^{17}N$
• E. ${}_8^{16}O$

Answer 1

The correct option is A ${}_8^{17}O$

The nuclear equation is
${}_7^{14}N{+}_2^{4}He\to X{+}_1^{1}H$
This reaction will be complete when X is
${}_8^{17}O$
${}_7^{14}N{+}_2^{4}He{\to }_8^{17}O{+}_1^{1}H$
We can check this by taking the total of atomic numbers on both sides of the equation.
On the left hand side, the sum of the atomuic numbers is
$7+2=9$
On the right hand side of the equation, the sum of the atomic numbers is
$8+1=9$
We can check this by taking the total of mass numbers on both sides of the equation.
On the left hand side, the sum of the mass numbers is
$14+4=18$
On the right hand side of the equation, the sum of the mass numbers is
$17+1=18$