Question

The periodic table consists of 18 groups. An isotope of copper, on bombardment with protons, undergoes a nuclear reaction yielding element X as shown below. The group to which element X belongs in the periodic table is _________ .
$_{29}^{63}Cu + _1^1H \to 6_0^1n + \alpha + 2_1^1H + X$

Answer 1

The periodic table is basically a tabular array of the chemical elements arranged in the order of the atomic number. The groups of periodic table are shown as vertical columns that are numbered from 1 to 18. Elements in a group demonstrate almost similar chemical properties, arising from the presence of a number of valence electrons.

Complete answer:
Copper ($_{29}Cu$) comprises two stable isotopes i.e. $^{63}Cu$ and $^{65}Cu$, along with 27 radioisotopes. The unstable copper isotope i.e. $^{63}Cu$ tends to undergo $\beta^+$ decay. The given nuclear reaction in the question is:
$_{29}^{63}Cu + _1^1H \to 6_0^1n + \alpha + 2_1^1H + X$
$\alpha = _2^4He$
Total Mass number of reactant side:
$1 \times 63 + 1 \times 1 = 64$
Total Mass number of product side:
$6 \times 1 + 4 + 2 \times 1 + {M_x} = 12 + {M_x}$
Now, equating the mass number and solving for $M_x$
$12 + {M_x} = 64 \\\ \Rightarrow {M_x} = 52$
Similarly we will equate for the atomic number:
Total atomic number of reactant side:
$1 \times 29 + 1 \times 1 = 30$
Total atomic number of product side:
$6 \times 0 + 2 + 2 \times 1 + {Z_x} = 4 + {Z_x}$
Now, equating the atomic number and solving for Zx
$30 = 4 + {Z_x} \\\ \Rightarrow {Z_x} = 26$
This means that the element X has atomic number 26 and mass number 52. Hence, the element X is iron i.e. $_{26}^{52}Fe$. It belongs to the group 8.

**The group to which element X belongs in the periodic table is 8.

Note:**
Group 8 in the periodic table mainly comprises the transition metals. It consists of mainly iron (Fe), osmium (Os), ruthenium (Ru), and hassium (Hs).