Question

Transuranium elements are artificial and may be prepared by a fusion process in which heavy nuclei are bombarded with light ones. Complete the equation for the following fusion reaction by filling in the nuclear symbol for the missing product. 343Am90 + 4He2 → 2n1/0

Answer 1

Answer:

$_{97}^{345}\textrm{Bk}$

Explanation:

In a nuclear reaction, the total mass and total atomic number remains the same.

Am has an atomic number of 95. So correct reaction is:-

$^{343}_{95}\textrm{Am}+^{4}_{2}\textrm{He}\rightarrow ^A_Z\textrm{X}+2^1_0\textrm{n}$

To calculate A:

Total mass on reactant side = total mass on product side

343 + 4 = A + 2

A = 345

To calculate Z:

Total atomic number on reactant side = total atomic number on product side

95 + 2 = Z + 0

Z = 97

Hence, the isotopic symbol of unknown element is $_{97}^{345}\textrm{Bk}$