When a deuteron is bombarded on \( {}^{16}_{8}\mathrm{O} \) nucleus, an \( \alpha \)-particle is emitted. Other product nucleus is:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → \( {}^{14}_{7}\mathrm{N} \)
In a nuclear reaction the total mass number and the total atomic number (charge) are both conserved. A deuteron is \( {}^{2}_{1}\mathrm{H} \) and an \( \alpha \)-particle is \( {}^{4}_{2}\mathrm{He} \). Let the product be \( {}^{A}_{Z}\mathrm{X} \).
\( {}^{16}_{8}\mathrm{O} + {}^{2}_{1}\mathrm{H} \rightarrow {}^{4}_{2}\mathrm{He} + {}^{A}_{Z}\mathrm{X} \)
\( 16 + 2 = 4 + A \Rightarrow A = 14 \)
\( 8 + 1 = 2 + Z \Rightarrow Z = 7 \)
The element with \( Z = 7 \) is nitrogen, so the product nucleus is \( {}^{14}_{7}\mathrm{N} \).