Given the nuclear equation 11H+X63Li+42He, what is the particle represented by X?

1 Answer
Apr 8, 2018

94Be

Explanation:

We have the nuclear equation:

11H+X63Li+42He

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 101 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 51=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:

11H+94Be63Li+42He