Question

In the nuclear transmutation, 168O (?, α)137N, what is the bombarding particle? In the nuclear transmutation, O (?, )N, what is the bombarding particle? an alpha particle a gamma photon a proton a beta particle a phosphorus nucleus.

Answer 1

Answer:

The bombarding particle is a Proton

Explanation:

A Nuclear transmutation reaction occurs when radioactive element decay, usually converting them from one element/isotope into another element. Transmutation is the process which causes decay, generally, alpha or beta.

¹⁶₈O(P,alpha) ¹³₇N, can be written as

¹⁶₈O + x goes to ¹³₇N + ⁴₂He

Where x can be anything, balancing the equation in order to give us the correct amount of proton number and nucleus number

16 + x = 13 + 4

x = 17 – 16 = 1, Hence we can say that x = ¹₁P

¹⁶₈O + ¹₁P goes to ¹³₇N + ⁴₂He

Here we can clearly see the bombarding particle is ¹₁P (proton). The ejected particle being ⁴₂He which is also known as an alpha particle