Q. 5.81 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

All the elements beyond uranium, the trans uranium elements, have been prepared by bombardment and are not naturally occurring elements. The first trans uranium element neptunium, $\mathrm{Np}$, was prepared by bombarding $U-238$with neutrons to form a neptunium atom and a beta particle. Complete the following equation: $(5.2)$

data-custom-editor="chemistry" ${}_0{}^1\mathrm{n}+{}_{92}{}^{238}\mathrm{U}\to ?+?$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

As a result, the following is a full nuclear reaction:

    

${}_0{}^1\mathrm{n}+{}_{92}{}^{239}\mathrm{U}\to {}_{91}{}^{239}\mathrm{Np}+{}_{-1}{}^0\mathrm{e}$

Step 1: Given Information

        The elements above uranium are synthetic elements that do not occur naturally.

The following procedure is used to make Neptunium $\left(\mathrm{Np}\right)$:

When neutrons attack $uranium-238$, a neptunium atom and a beta particle form.

 The following is an incomplete nuclear equation:

${}_0{}^1\mathrm{n}+{}_{92}{}^{238}\mathrm{U}\to ?+?$

Step 2: Given Explanation

     The sum of the left side elements' mass numbers is $239$, which is identical to the sum of the right side elements' mass numbers.

Because the mass number of a beta particle is zero, neptunium has a mass number of $239$.

     The neptunium atom and a beta particle are created during neutron bombardment. The atomic number of neptunium is $93$, and the atomic number of the beta particle is $1$ with one negative charge.

Step 3: Conclusion

The sum of the atomic numbers of the elements on the left side is $92$, which is identical to the sum of the atomic numbers of the elements on the right side, which is $92$.

As a result, the following is a full nuclear reaction:

${}_0{}^{1}n+{}_{92}{}^{239}U\to {}_{91}{}^{239}Np+{}_{-1}{}^{0}e$