The nucleus of an atom consists of protons and neutrons (no electrons). A nucleu

Question

The nucleus of an atom consists of protons and neutrons (no electrons). A nucleus of a carbon-12 isotope contains six protons and six neutrons, while a nitrogen-14 nucleus comprises seven protons and seven neutrons. You perform a nuclear physics experiment in which you bombard nitrogen-14 nuclei with very high speed carbon-12 nuclel emerging from a particle accelerator. As a result of each such coli si on, the two nude! disintegrate completely and a mix of different particles are emitted, including electrons, protons, antiprotons (with electric charge -e each), positrons (with charge+e each), and various neutral particles (including neutrons and neutrinos) For a particular collision you detect the emitted products and find 17 protons, 4 antiprotons, 6 positrons, and 26 neutral particles How many electrons are also emitted?

Explanation / Answer

This is simple charge conservation pronciple question. The reactants have zero net charge.. The products should also have zero net charge. Let x be the number of electrons.

=> 17 - 4 + 6 -x =0 => x = 19 electrons

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.