A nitrogen nucleus bombarded with an alpha particle produces an oxygen nucleus and a proton. The nuclear reaction for this process is \(^4_2H + ^{14}_2N \to ^{17}_{8}O + ^1_1H + Q\). Which of the following statements about the reaction is not correct?
- the bombardment results into a nucleus with greater proton number
- it is an induced nuclear reaction
-
it is a natural radioactive decay
- the sum of the final nucleon numbers
The correct answer is: C
Explanation
The reaction is not a natural radioactive decay. Natural decay occurs spontaneously without external influence; this reaction requires an external alpha particle to initiate it.