Irene and Frederick Joliot-Curie discovered artificial radioactivity by bombarding Aluminum-27 with — Nuclear Chemistry and Radioactivity Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The reaction is ${}_{13}^{27}Al + {}_{2}^{4}He \rightarrow {}_{Z}^{A}X + {}_{0}^{1}n$. Balancing mass gives $A = 27+4-1 = 30$. Balancing charge gives $Z = 13+2-0 = 15$. The element is Phosphorus, producing radioactive ${}_{15}^{30}P$.