Given the nuclear equation #""_1^1H + X -> _3^6Li + _2^4He#, what is the particle represented by #X#?

1 Answer
Apr 8, 2018

#""_4^9Be#

Explanation:

We have the nuclear equation:

#""_1^1H+X->""_3^6Li+""_2^4He#

In a nuclear equation, the total mass and the number of protons stay the same.

There is only #1# mass unit on the left side, but #6+4=10# units on the left side. This tells us element #X# has a mass of #10-1# units.

Also, there is only #1# proton on the left side, but #3+2=5# protons on the right side. So, element #X# must have #5-1=4# protons.

The element with four protons on the periodic table is beryllium, and its symbol is #Be#. Thus, the complete equation for this reaction is:

#""_1^1H+""_4^9Be->""_3^6Li+""_2^4He#