In the nuclear reaction X(n,α)37Li, the term X will be:
A
510B
B
59B
C
511B
D
24He
Step-by-Step Solution
Interpret Reaction Notation: The notation X(n,α)Y represents a nuclear reaction where a target nucleus X absorbs a neutron (n) and emits an \alpha particle (α) to form the product nucleus Y. The reaction is written as: X+01n→37Li+24He .
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):AX+1=7+4⟹AX=10.
Conservation of Atomic Number (Z):ZX+0=3+2⟹ZX=5.
Identify Element: The element with atomic number Z=5 is Boron (B). Therefore, the unknown term X is the isotope Boron-10 (510B).
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