QuestionApril 30, 2025

Suppose an aluminum -27 nuclide transforms into a sodium 1-24 nuclide by absorbing a neutron and emitting an alpha particle. Complete the nuclear chemical equation below so that it describes this nuclear reaction.

Suppose an aluminum -27 nuclide transforms into a sodium 1-24 nuclide by absorbing a neutron and emitting an alpha particle. Complete the nuclear chemical equation below so that it describes this nuclear reaction.
Suppose an aluminum -27 nuclide transforms into a sodium 1-24 nuclide by absorbing a neutron and emitting an alpha particle.
Complete the nuclear chemical equation below so that it describes this nuclear reaction.

Solution
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Answer

^{27}_{13}Al + ^1_0n \rightarrow ^{24}_{11}Na + ^4_2He Explanation 1. Write the general nuclear reaction The aluminum-27 nuclide absorbs a neutron (n) and emits an alpha particle (\alpha, or ^4_2He). The general equation is: ^{27}_{13}Al + ^1_0n \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z}X + ^4_2He 2. Conserve mass number (A) The total mass number on the left is 27 + 1 = 28. On the right, A + 4 = 28. Solve for A: A = 28 - 4 = 24 3. Conserve atomic number (Z) The total atomic number on the left is 13 + 0 = 13. On the right, Z + 2 = 13. Solve for Z: Z = 13 - 2 = 11 4. Identify the resulting element The element with atomic number Z = 11 is sodium (Na).

Explanation

1. Write the general nuclear reaction<br /> The aluminum-27 nuclide absorbs a neutron ($n$) and emits an alpha particle ($\alpha$, or $^4_2He$). The general equation is:<br />$$ ^{27}_{13}Al + ^1_0n \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z}X + ^4_2He $$<br /><br />2. Conserve mass number (A)<br /> The total mass number on the left is $27 + 1 = 28$. On the right, $A + 4 = 28$. Solve for $A$: <br />$$ A = 28 - 4 = 24 $$<br /><br />3. Conserve atomic number (Z)<br /> The total atomic number on the left is $13 + 0 = 13$. On the right, $Z + 2 = 13$. Solve for $Z$: <br />$$ Z = 13 - 2 = 11 $$<br /><br />4. Identify the resulting element<br /> The element with atomic number $Z = 11$ is sodium ($Na$).
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