Question

If two protons and two neutrons are removed from the nucleus of an oxygen-16 atom, a nucleus of which element remains? Express your answer as an isotope (e.g., as 31H).

Answer 1

`_(6)^(12)\text{C}`

Step-by-step explanation:

A particle with two protons and two neutrons is a helium nucleus.

Your unbalanced nuclear equation is:

`_(8)^(16)\text{O} \longrightarrow \, _(x)^(y)\text{Z} + \, _(2)^(4)\text{He}`

The main point to remember in balancing nuclear equations is that the sums of the superscripts and of the subscripts must be the same on each side of the equation.

Then

8 = x + 2, so x = 8 - 2 = 6

16 = y + 4, so y = 16 - 4 =12

Element 6 is carbon, so the nuclear equation becomes

`_(\ 8)^(16)\text{O} \longrightarrow \, _(\ 6)^(12)\text{C} + \, _(2)^(4)\text{He}`