In the nuclear reaction $X(n, \alpha){}_{3}^{7}\mathrm{Li}$, the term $X$ will be:

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1. **Interpret Reaction Notation:** The notation $X(n, \alpha)Y$ represents a nuclear reaction where a target nucleus $X$ absorbs a neutron ($n$) and emits an alpha particle ($\alpha$) to form the product nucleus $Y$. The reaction is written as: $X + {}_{0}^{1}n \rightarrow {}_{3}^{7}\mathrm{Li} + {}_{2}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ .
2. **Apply Conservation Laws:** In any nuclear reaction, both the mass number ($A$, sum of protons and neutrons) and the atomic number ($Z$, number of protons) must be conserved .
   - **Conservation of Mass Number ($A$):** $A_X + 1 = 7 + 4 \implies A_X = 10$.
   - **Conservation of Atomic Number ($Z$):** $Z_X + 0 = 3 + 2 \implies Z_X = 5$.
3. **Identify Element:** The element with atomic number $Z=5$ is Boron (B). Therefore, the unknown term $X$ is the isotope Boron-10 (${}_{5}^{10}\mathrm{B}$).

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