A mercury-198 nucleus is bombarded by a neutron, which causes a nuclear reaction ¹₀n + ¹⁹⁸₈₀Hg ¹⁹⁷₇₉Au + X What is the unknown product particle X?

Step-by-step solution

Let the unknown particle X be represented as ^ A _ Z X . Applying the principle of conservation of mass number: 1 + 198 = 197 + A 199 = 197 + A A = 2 Applying the principle of conservation of atomic number: 0 + 80 = 79 + Z 80 = 79 + Z Z = 1 The particle with mass number A = 2 and atomic number Z = 1 is ²₁H , which is a deuteron. Answer: Deuteron