Question

When aluminium is bombarded with fast neutrons, it changes into sodium with emission of particle $x$ according to the equation ${}_{13}^{27}\mathrm{Al}+{}_0^1\mathrm{n}\to {}_{11}^{24}\mathrm{Na}+\mathrm{x}$

What is $x$ ?

• A. Electron
• B. Proton
• C. Neutron
• D. Alpha- particle

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

The mass number of $x=27+1-24=4$ and its atomic number $=13+0-11=2.$
Hence particle $x$ is the helium nucleus, which is called an alpha particle