One of the new superheavy elements added to the periodic table in 2016 was synthesized when a beam of 48Ca ions was directed at a target of 243Am. (a) Write a balanced nuclear equation for the formation of this element. (b) What isotope is formed after the nuclide formed in the nuclear transmutation reaction in part (a) emits one alpha particle? (c) How many alpha particles were emitted to reach the isotope 268Db, the final decay product?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic numbers and mass numbers of the reactants, 48Ca and 243Am. Calcium (Ca) has an atomic number of 20, and Americium (Am) has an atomic number of 95.
2. Write the nuclear reaction by adding the reactants' atomic and mass numbers. The sum of the atomic numbers will give the atomic number of the new element, and the sum of the mass numbers will give the mass number of the new element formed.
3. Balance the nuclear equation by ensuring that the sum of the atomic numbers and the sum of the mass numbers on both sides of the equation are equal.
4. For part (b), recognize that the emission of an alpha particle (which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, symbolically represented as 4He2) from the nuclide decreases the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4. Adjust the atomic and mass numbers of the nuclide formed in part (a) accordingly.
5. For part (c), calculate the difference in mass numbers and atomic numbers between the nuclide formed in part (a) and the final decay product, 268Db. Use the fact that each alpha particle emission reduces the mass number by 4 and the atomic number by 2 to determine how many alpha particles were emitted.

Key Concepts

Nuclear Reactions

Nuclear reactions involve changes in an atom's nucleus and can result in the formation of new elements. In these reactions, particles such as protons, neutrons, and alpha particles are involved. Understanding how to balance nuclear equations is crucial, as it ensures that the number of nucleons and charge are conserved during the reaction.

Alpha Decay

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, consisting of two protons and two neutrons. This process decreases the atomic number by two and the mass number by four, resulting in the formation of a new element. Recognizing the implications of alpha decay is essential for determining the resulting isotopes after a nuclear transmutation.

Isotopes and Nuclear Stability

Isotopes are variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, leading to different mass numbers. The stability of isotopes can vary, with some being stable and others undergoing radioactive decay. Understanding the relationship between isotopes and their decay pathways is important for predicting the final products of nuclear reactions and their decay sequences.