What are the unknowns in this nuclear reaction sequence?

[AStaunton]

Hi there

problem is:

given the following nuclear reaction sequence, determine X and Y:

_{9}^{15}N+_{1}^{1}H\rightarrow_{8}^{16}O+\gamma

_{8}^{16}O+_{1}^{1}H\rightarrow_{9}^{17}F+X

_{9}^{17}F\rightarrow_{8}^{17}O+Y+\nu_{e}

My Attempted answer is:

As far as I can see, Y must be a e^{+} in order to balance with the \nu_{e} in the equation. But I am in doubt about this as the above way I am think is beta+ emission, however I read that the way of decay of fluorine-17 is electron capture so I don't know how to reconcile this.

Regarding what X is, I am not sure...I do not think it can be a \gamma as binding energy per nucleon of oxygen 16 is greater than that of fluorine 17..I don't see how it can be a lepton as the lepton number seems to be balanced already...

Any feedback on my queries for X and Y is appreciated

 

[Ksitov]

Hi there

problem is:

given the following nuclear reaction sequence, determine X and Y:

_{9}^{15}N+_{1}^{1}H\rightarrow_{8}^{16}O+\gamma

_{8}^{16}O+_{1}^{1}H\rightarrow_{9}^{17}F+X

_{9}^{17}F\rightarrow_{8}^{17}O+Y+\nu_{e}

My Attempted answer is:

As far as I can see, Y must be a e^{+} in order to balance with the \nu_{e} in the equation. But I am in doubt about this as the above way I am think is beta+ emission, however I read that the way of decay of fluorine-17 is electron capture so I don't know how to reconcile this.

Regarding what X is, I am not sure...I do not think it can be a \gamma as binding energy per nucleon of oxygen 16 is greater than that of fluorine 17..I don't see how it can be a lepton as the lepton number seems to be balanced already...

Any feedback on my queries for X and Y is appreciated

Hi !

I agree with Y must be a e^(+) (positron).

Because with Soddy's Law you have: For protons: 9 = 8 + Y + 0 <=> Y = 1
And for nucleons you have: 17 = 17 + Y + 0 <=> Y = 0
It's a positron !

Try to use my method.

Good luck ! :D

 

[Redbelly98]

Regarding what X is, I am not sure...I do not think it can be a \gamma as binding energy per nucleon of oxygen 16 is greater than that of fluorine 17..I don't see how it can be a lepton as the lepton number seems to be balanced already...

Extra energy can be supplied by kinetic energy, since the H impinges on the O.