A N-14 nucleus is hit by a particle, forming a C-14 nucleus and a proton as the only products. How would you identify the type of particle which struck the N-14 nucleus?

1 Answer
Doc048
May 2, 2017

There must be a mass and charge balance between reactants and products. The most likely bombarding particle that fits the question data is a neutron with a mass of 1 amu and a charge of 0.
#(""_0^1 n)#

Explanation:

#""_7^14 N^o# + #""_0^1 n# => #""_6^14 C^o# + #""_1^1p^#

#"Mass" "Reactants" => 14 + 1 = "Mass""Products" => 14 + 1#
#"Charge" "Reactants" => 7 + 0 = "Charge" "Products" => 6 + 1#

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