Select the nuclide that completes the following nuclear reaction.
E)None of these choices are correct.

Question

Select the nuclide that completes the following nuclear reaction. 
E)None of these choices are correct.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The given incomplete nuclear reaction is not balanced. We can determine the missing nuclide by balancing the reaction. The initial nuclide has atomic number 11, which means it is sodium-23 (^23Na). The final nuclide has atomic number 12, which means it is magnesium-23 (^23Mg). The balanced nuclear reaction is: ^23Na + β- → ^23Mg. Therefore, the missing nuclide should have 1 less neutron and 1 more proton than sodium-23. Only option C, ^23Na → ^23Mg + β-, fits this description.

Select the Nuclide That Completes the Following Nuclear Reaction