Identify the missing particle X in the following nuclear reaction: ²⁷₁₃ Al + ⁴₂ He ³⁰₁₅ P + X

Step-by-step solution

Let the missing particle X have mass number A and atomic number Z . The nuclear reaction is: ²⁷₁₃ Al + ⁴₂ He ³⁰₁₅ P + ^ A _ Z X Applying the law of conservation of mass number: 27 + 4 = 30 + A 31 = 30 + A A = 1 Applying the law of conservation of atomic number: 13 + 2 = 15 + Z 15 = 15 + Z Z = 0 The particle with mass number A = 1 and atomic number Z = 0 is a neutron ( ¹₀ n ). Answer: Neutron