A proton strikes an O nucleus producing F and another particle.What is the other particle? A) a neutron B) an alpha particle C) a β^-particle D) a β⁺ particle E) a gamma ray

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In this reaction, the sum of the mass numbers and the sum of the charge numbers should be conserved. The mass number of the reactants = 11 + 83 = 94. The mass number of the products = 9 + 34 + the mass of the other particle. The sum of the charge numbers of the reactants = +1 + (+79) = +80. The sum of the charge numbers of the products = +9 + (2 x +17) + the charge of the other particle. By comparing both sides, we can see that the charge of the other particle must be 0, and the mass of the other particle is 94 - 9 - 34 = 51. This is the mass of the neutron, so the answer is (A) a neutron.

A Proton Strikes an O Nucleus Producing F