Question

Rutherford was the first physicist to carry out artificial transmutation from one element into another. In this experiment, he bombarded nitrogen with alpha particles to produce an isotope of:
A). Hydrogen
B). Carbon
C). Oxygen
D). Helium

Answer 1

Hint: Recall that alpha particles are synonymous to a Helium atom in a bound state. In such a scenario, obtain a balanced equation for the bombardment of nitrogen with helium, keeping in mind that the process, in addition to the unknown isotope, produces a proton, or a hydrogen atom. In such a case, when you balance the equation, you should arrive at a different mass number of this isotopic element, but whose consistent atomic number represents the appropriate periodic table element.

Complete step-by-step solution:
Let us begin by understanding what nuclear transmutation is.
Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one element or isotope into another element or isotope. It occurs whenever there is a change in the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus since they are the constituent particles of the nucleus.
There are two ways through which nuclear transmutations can be achieved: by nuclear reactions and by radioactive decay. Nuclear reactions entail an external interacting particle whereas radioactive decay is a spontaneous process.
Though Rutherford worked extensively with Radioactive decay processes, the first nuclear transmutation was observed via a nuclear reaction.
Now, in 1925, Patrick Blackett, a research student working under Rutherford, carried out the first transmutation of nitrogen by directing alpha (Helium) particles towards it. This resulted in the release of a proton, and consequently an isotope of oxygen, as shown below:
${}^{14}_7 N + {}^{4}_{2} He \rightarrow {}^{17}_8 O + {}^1_1 H$
Thus, we see that the residual nucleus that is produced is an isotope of the oxygen atom, resulting from a nuclear integration process. The production of a proton produces an isotope of Oxygen (same atomic number but a different mass number) which balances out the equation.
The correct option is C. Oxygen

Note: There are two types of nuclear transmutations: natural and artificial. Natural transmutation mostly occurs via spontaneous decay of naturally occurring radioactive elements or by stellar nucleosynthesis which has created most of the heavier chemical elements in the known observable universe, or by supernovae explosions. Artificial transmutations occur via machines that are capable of altering the nuclear structure of elements. These machines are usually particle accelerators, fission power reactors which usually result in chain reactions.