Which one of the following notations shows the product correctly? — Nuclear Chemistry and Radioactivity Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1 - Nuclear Notation Convention The notation $\text{Target}(\text{projectile}, \text{ejectile})\text{Product}$ means: $$\text{Target} + \text{projectile} \to \text{Product} + \text{ejectile}$$ Check conservation of $Z$ (atomic number) and $A$ (mass number) for each. Step 2 - Option (A): $\ce{^{242}_{96}Cm}(\alpha, 2n)\ce{^{243}_{97}Bk}$ $$\ce{^{242}_{96}Cm + ^4_2He -> ^{243}_{97}Bk + 2^1_0n}$$ $$Z: 96+2 = 98 \neq 97+0 = 97 \quad ✗\ \text{(charge not balanced!)}$$ → **(A) is incorrect.** The product should be $\ce{^{244}_{98}Cf}$, not Bk. Step 3 - Option (B): $\ce{^{10}_5B}(\alpha, n)\ce{^{13}_7N}$ $$\ce{^{10}_5B + ^4_2He -> ^{13}_7N + ^1_0n}$$ $$Z: 5+2 = 7 = 7\ \checkmark \quad A: 10+4 = 14 = 13+1\ \checkmark$$ → **(B) is correct.** Step 4 - Option (C): $\ce{^{14}_7N}(\alpha, p)\ce{^{17}_8O}$ $$\ce{^{14}_7N + ^4_2He -> ^{17}_8O + ^1_1H}$$ $$Z: 7+2 = 9 = 8+1\ \checkmark \quad A: 14+4 = 18 = 17+1\ \checkmark$$ → **(C) is correct.** Step 5 - Option (D): $\ce{^{28}_{14}Si}(d, n)\ce{^{29}_{15}P}$ $d$ = deuteron $\ce{^2_1H}$: $$\ce{^{28}_{14}Si + ^2_1H -> ^{29}_{15}P + ^1_0n}$$ $$Z: 14+1 = 15 = 15+0\ \checkmark \quad A: 28+2 = 30 = 29+1\ \checkmark$$ → **(D) is correct.** $$\boxed{\text{Answer: B, C, D}}$$