Which one of the following is possible nuclear reaction? (a) ₅B¹⁰ + ₂He⁴ → ₇N¹³ + ₁H¹ (b) ₁₁Na²³ + ₁H¹ → ₁₀Ne²⁰ + ₂He⁴ (c) ₉₃Np²³⁹ → ₉₄Pu²³⁹ + -1e⁰ (d) ₇N¹¹ + ₁H¹ → ₆C¹² + -1e⁰

Answer: (c). A nuclear reaction must conserve mass number A and charge number Z. (a) A: 14 → 14, Z: 7 → 8, not balanced. (d) Z: 8 → 5, not balanced. (b) A: 24 → 24, Z: 12 → 12, balanced. (c) A: 239 → 239, Z: 93 → 94 - 1 = 93, balanced ( β⁻ decay of Np to Pu). So the answer is (c), the β⁻ decay ₉₃Np²³⁹ → ₉₄Pu²³⁹ + e⁻.

Which one of the following is possible nuclear reaction? | MHT CET 2026 (20 May, Shift 1)

Q1MHT CET 2026 · 20 MAY · SHIFT 1Easy

Nuclear Reactions & Q-value

Which one of the following is possible nuclear reaction?

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Answer: (c)

A nuclear reaction must conserve mass number $A$ and charge number $Z$ .
(a) $A: 14 \to 14$ , $Z: 7 \to 8$ , not balanced. (d) $Z: 8 \to 5$ , not balanced.
(b) $A: 24 \to 24$ , $Z: 12 \to 12$ , balanced.
(c) $A: 239 \to 239$ , $Z: 93 \to 94 - 1 = 93$ , balanced ( $\beta^-$ decay of Np to Pu).
So the answer is (c), the $\beta^-$ decay ${}_{93}\text{Np}^{239} \to {}_{94}\text{Pu}^{239} + e^-$ .

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