The process by which the identity of a nucleus is changed when it is bombarded by an energetic particle is called nuclear function. The general relation for the nuclear reaction is as follows.
Here X and a are known as reactants and Y and b are known as products. This reaction is known as (a, b) reaction and can be represented as X(a, b) Y
Q value or energy of nuclear reaction: The energy absorbed or released during nuclear reaction is known as Q-value of nuclear reaction.
Q-value = (Mass of reactants - mass of products)c2 Joules
= (Mass of reactants - mass of products) amu
If Q < 0, The nuclear reaction is known as endothermic.
If Q > 0, The nuclear reaction is known as exothermic.
Law of conservation in nuclear reactions:
(i) Conservation of charge number and mass number : In the following nuclear reaction
Mass number (A) → Before the reaction After the reaction
4 +14 = 18 17 + 1 = 18
Charge number (Z) → 2 + 7 = 9 8 + 1 = 9
(ii) Conservation of momentum: Linear momentum/angular momentum of particles before the reaction is equal to the linear/angular momentum of the particles after the reaction. That is Σp = 0
(iii) Conservation of energy: Total energy before the reaction is equal to total energy after the reaction. Term Q is attached to balance the total energy of the reaction.
Common nuclear reactions: The nuclear reactions lead to artificial transmutation of nuclei. Rutherford was the first to take out artificial transmutation of nitrogen to oxygen in the year 1919.
It is called (a, p) reaction. Some other nuclear reactions are given as follows:
(p, n) reaction => 
(p, a) reaction => 
(p, g) reaction => 
(n, p) reaction => 
(g, n) reaction => 
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