Which of the following is an example of artificial transmutation?

JAMB Chemistry 2023 86 views

Which of the following is an example of artificial transmutation?

  1. Uranium-238 decaying to thorium-234
  2. Carbon-14 decaying to nitrogen-14
  3. Bombarding nitrogen-14 with a neutron to produce carbon-14 ✓
  4. Potassium-40 decaying to argon-40

Explanation

Artificial transmutation occurs when scientists use particles like neutrons or protons to change one element into another. Bombarding nitrogen with neutrons creates carbon-14 in a lab.

Natural transmutation happens spontaneously through radioactive decay without human intervention. Uranium, carbon-14, and potassium-40 decay naturally over time.

By controlling what particles hit which nuclei, scientists can create elements that do not exist naturally on Earth. This is how many radioactive isotopes used in medicine are produced.

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