Question

Part A Transmutation is the process of transforming one element into another through nuclear reactions. What will be the nuclide produced when Cf-249 is bombarded with C-12? Four neutrons are also produced by the reaction. View Available Hint(s) Transmutation is the process of transforming one element into another through nuclear reactions. What will be the nuclide produced when Cf-249 is bombarded with C-12? Four neutrons are also produced by the reaction. Rf-257 Rf-260 Rf-261 Fm-261

Answer 1

Answer: The isotope produced after the transmutation process of Cf-249 and C-12 is $_{104}^{257}\textrm{Rf}$

Explanation:

Transmutation is defined as the process where one chemical isotope gets converted to another chemical isotope. The number of protons or neutrons in the isotope gets changed.

The chemical equation for the reaction of Californium-249 nucleus with Carbon-12 nucleus follows:

$_{98}^{249}\textrm{Cf}+_6^{12}\textrm{C}\rightarrow _{Z}^{A}\textrm{X}+4_0^1\textrm{n}$

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

To calculate A:

Total mass on reactant side = total mass on product side

249 + 12 = A + 4

A = 257

To calculate Z:

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

98 + 6 = Z + 0

Z = 104

Hence, the isotope produced after the transmutation process of Cf-249 and C-12 is $_{104}^{257}\textrm{Rf}$