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JAMB Physics 1988 Question 48

Question 48

Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics

In a certain fusion reaction, a deuteron (21H) interacts with a triton (31H) and produces an α-particle (42He) and a second product. The second product is

  1. A.a proton
  2. B.an electron
  3. C.a neutron
  4. D.a gamma ray
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (a neutron)

Explanation

Mass numbers: 2 + 3 = 4 + 1, and charges: 1 + 1 = 2 + 0. The missing particle has mass number 1 and charge 0: a neutron.