Question

All the elements beyond uranium, the transuranium elements, have been prepared by bombardment and are not naturally occurring elements. The first transuranium element neptunium, Np, was prepared by bombarding U-238 with neutrons to form a neptunium atom and a beta particle. Complete the following equation:
¹₀n + ²³⁸₉₂U →? + ?

Accepted Answer

Step 1: Understand the problem. The reaction involves bombarding uranium-238 (²³⁸₉₂U) with a neutron (¹₀n) to produce a neptunium atom (Np) and a beta particle (β⁻). A beta particle is represented as ⁰₋₁e, which indicates a change in atomic number but not in mass number. Step 2: Write the general nuclear reaction equation. The sum of the mass numbers (superscripts) and the atomic numbers (subscripts) on both sides of the equation must be equal. Start with: ¹₀n + ²³⁸₉₂U → ²³⁸₉₃Np + ⁰₋₁e. Step 3: Verify the mass numbers. On the left side, the total mass number is 1 (from the neutron) + 238 (from uranium), which equals 239. On the right side, the mass number of neptunium is 238, and the beta particle has a mass number of 0. This confirms the mass numbers balance. Step 4: Verify the atomic numbers. On the left side, the total atomic number is 0 (from the neutron) + 92 (from uranium), which equals 92. On the right side, the atomic number of neptunium is 93, and the beta particle has an atomic number of -1. This confirms the atomic numbers balance. Step 5: Conclude the reaction. The completed nuclear equation is: ¹₀n + ²³⁸₉₂U → ²³⁸₉₃Np + ⁰₋₁e. This shows that uranium-238 absorbs a neutron, undergoes beta decay, and forms neptunium-238.

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Concetti chiave

Transuranium Elements

Nuclear Reactions

Beta Decay