What is artificial transmutation?

artificial transmutation is a synthetic nuclear chemical phenomenon (performed in the laboratory) in which the nucleus of the atom of a given chemical element it is transformed into the nucleus of another chemical element.

Element X → Element Y

This process is carried out in Nuclear Physics laboratories with or without the use of radioactive particles. what differs a artificial transmutation of a natural nuclear reaction is that, in the natural reaction, the nucleus of the atom loses particles and forms a new nucleus. In artificial transmutation, a particle is used in the nucleus of an atom to transform it.

Representation of an artificial transmutation

In general, chemical equations that represent a artificial transmutation follow the pattern of any chemical equation.

Reagents → Products

The reactants are the chemical element that will be transformed and the particle. The product is the new element and, in some cases, just another particle.

Particles used in an artificial transmutation

In a reaction of

artificial transmutation, we can use radioactive and non-radioactive particles. The radioactive particles that can be used are:

• Alpha (₂α⁴): has mass number equal to 4 and atomic number equal to 2;

• Beta (_-1β⁰): has mass number equal to 0 and atomic number equal to -1.

The non-radioactive particles that can be used in the process are:

• Deuteron (₁d²): has mass number equal to 2 and atomic number equal to 1;

• Proton (₁P¹): has mass number equal to 1 and atomic number equal to 1;

• Positron (₊₁and⁰): has mass number equal to 0 and atomic number equal to +1.

Examples of Artificial Transmutation Equations

→ Sodium transmutation by deuteron attack

₁₁At²³ + ₁d² → ₁₂mg²⁴ + ₀no¹

When a nitrogen atom is bombarded by a deuteron, an artificial transmutation takes place, which forms a magnesium atom and releases a neutron.

→ Transmutation of beryllium by proton attack

₄be⁹ + ₁P¹ → ₃read⁶ + ₂α⁴

When a beryllium atom is bombarded by a proton, an artificial transmutation takes place, which forms a magnesium atom and releases a neutron.

→ Transmutation of selenium by beta particle attack

₃₄if⁸⁴ + _-1β⁰ → ₃₃At⁸³ + ₀no¹

When a selenium atom is bombarded by a beta particle, an artificial transmutation takes place, which forms an arsenic atom and releases a neutron.

→ Transmutation of arsenic by beta particle attack

₃₃At⁷⁶ + _-1β⁰ → ₃₂if⁷⁶

When an arsenic atom is bombarded by a beta particle, an artificial transmutation takes place, forming a selenium atom.

→ Transmutation of nitrogen by alpha particle attack

₇N¹⁴ + ₂α⁴ → ₈O¹⁷ + ₁P¹

When a nitrogen atom is bombarded by an alpha particle, an artificial transmutation takes place, which forms an oxygen atom and releases a proton.

By Me. Diogo Lopes Dias

Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/quimica/o-que-e-transmutacao-artificial.htm