Chapter 17, Problem 86E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The nuclear fusion equations of $\text{Cf-249}$ with $\text{O-18 }$ are to be written, in which four neutrons are produced.

Concept Introduction: The equations representing the changes that take place during radioactivity and other nuclear processes are called nuclear equations.

The nuclear equation should be balanced just like the chemical equations.

In a balanced nuclear equation, the sum of the atomic numbers and mass numbers on both sides of a nuclear equation should be equal.

The atom undergoing nuclear disintegration is called parent nuclide and the products obtained are called daughter nuclide.

The bombardment of a neutron on the nucleus increases the mass number by unit one.

The identity and symbol of the daughter nuclide formed by an alpha decay can be deduced from the atomic and mass numbers of their parent nuclide.

The symbols of the neutron, an alpha particle, and beta particle are ${}_{\text{0}}^{\text{1}}{\text{n, }}_{\text{2}}^{\text{4}}\text{He}$ and ${}_{\text{-1}}^{\text{0}}\text{e}$ respectively.