Chapter 30.2, Problem 22PP

To determine

To Explain:

The nuclear equation for the transmutation of the seaborgium isotope $Sg$ into rutherfordium isotope $Rf$ by the emission of alpha particles.

Answer to Problem 22PP

The nuclear equation for the transmutation of the seaborgium isotope $Sg$ into rutherfordium isotope $Rf$ by emission of alpha particles: $Rf$ is $Sg\to +Rf+He$ .

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

An isotope is any form of chemical element which has the identical number of protons in the nucleus of an atom but it does not have the identical number of neutrons in its nucleus. The isotope has the same atomic number but it has a different atomic mass number.

Transmutation is the process of the striking of a single type of nuclei with the other nuclei or also with the neutrons. Rutherford was the first scientist who bombarded the atoms with alpha particles having high speed from a given radioactive isotope of radium and he observed that protons resulted from performing such reaction.

In a given example of $Sg$ seaborgium isotope into rutherfordium isotope, $Rf$ alpha particles will be emitted. The emission of alpha particles is $He$ .

Hence, the equation for the transmutation can be written as,

  $Sg\to +Rf+He$

Conclusion:

The required equation is $Sg\to +Rf+He$ .