In 2010, a team of scientists from Russia and the United States reported creation of the first atom of element 117, which is named tennessine, and whose symbol is Ts. The synthesis involved the collision of a target of 24997Bk with accelerated ions of an isotope which we will denote Q. The product atom, which we will call Z, immediately releases neutrons and forms 294117Ts: 24997Bk + Q → Z → 294117Ts + 3 10n (a) What are the identities of isotopes Q and Z? (c) Collision of ions of isotope Q with a target was also used to produce the first atoms of livermorium, Lv. The initial product of this collision was 296116Lv. What was the target isotope with which Q collided in this experiment?
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: To identify isotope Q, use the conservation of mass and atomic numbers in nuclear reactions. The sum of the mass numbers (top numbers) and atomic numbers (bottom numbers) on both sides of the reaction must be equal.
Step 2: For the reaction 249/97Bk + Q → Z → 294/117Ts + 3 1/0n, start by balancing the mass numbers. The mass number of Z must be 294 + 3 = 297, since three neutrons are released.
Step 3: Balance the atomic numbers. The atomic number of Z must be 117, as it forms 294/117Ts. Therefore, the atomic number of Q must be 117 - 97 = 20.
Step 4: With the atomic number of Q determined as 20, identify Q as an isotope of calcium, specifically 48/20Ca, since 249 + 48 = 297.
Step 5: For part (c), to find the target isotope that collided with Q to produce 296/116Lv, use the same conservation principles. The mass number of the target must be 296 - 48 = 248, and the atomic number must be 116 - 20 = 96, identifying the target as 248/96Cm (curium).
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
1m
Play a video:
Was this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Nuclear Reactions
Nuclear reactions involve the transformation of atomic nuclei through processes such as fusion or fission. In the context of the question, the collision of isotopes leads to the formation of new elements, where reactants (like Bk and Q) combine to produce products (like Ts and neutrons). Understanding the basics of how nuclei interact is crucial for identifying the isotopes involved.
Isotopes are variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different atomic masses. For example, Bk (Berkelium) has isotopes that can be used in nuclear reactions. Identifying isotopes Q and Z requires knowledge of their nuclear properties and how they relate to the elements involved in the reactions.
Element synthesis refers to the creation of new elements through nuclear reactions, often in particle accelerators. The question discusses the synthesis of tennessine (Ts) and livermorium (Lv), highlighting the importance of understanding the conditions and reactants necessary for producing superheavy elements. This concept is essential for determining the identities of isotopes involved in the experiments.
Verified step by step guidance
02:06
