Question

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

Answer 1

`""_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`