Question

How many neutrons must an 5626fe nucleus capture to generate the unstable intermediate [7326fe] according to the equation: 5626fe+ ? 10n→[7326fe]?

Answer 1

₂₆⁵⁶Fe has 26 as the atomic number and 56 as mass number.
Mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons.
Since, atomic number = number of protons = 26,
number of neutrons = 56 - 26 = 30

Likewise,₂₆⁷³ Fe has 26 protons and 73 mass.
Hence the number of neutrons = 73 - 26 = 47

Hence, gained neutrons = 47 - 30 = 17

Hence, the equation should be,
₂₆⁵⁶Fe + 17n → ₂₆⁷³ Fe