Video Transcript
What is the term used when an atom of one element is converted into an atom of another element? (A) Transcription, (B) transfiguration, (C) alchemy, (D) permutation, or (E) transmutation.
There are three types of nuclear reactions: fission, fusion, and transmutation. Fission occurs when a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei. Fusion occurs when small nuclei combine into a larger nucleus. Transmutation is the transformation of an atom of one element into an atom of a different element.
There are two types of transmutation: radioactive decay and bombardment. Radioactive decay involves a spontaneous change in an unstable nucleus. For example, uranium-238 spontaneously decays via 𝛼 decay into thorium-234. No external forces are needed to mediate or cause this reaction. It just happens whenever you have uranium-238 atoms since they are unstable.
Bombardment, on the other hand, introduces external forces. Let’s say you put a sample of uranium-238 into a nuclear reactor. In the reactor, there are lots of neutrons flying around. Many of them will strike or bombard the uranium-238 atoms. Some of those uranium-238 atoms will absorb and capture the neutrons that they’re bombarded with and form uranium-239 atoms. These uranium-239 atoms will then undergo 𝛽 decay into neptunium-239 atoms. In this way, bombardment similarly leads to transmutation. In both cases, atoms of one element transform into atoms of another element.
Thus, the answer to the question is (E), transmutation.
