An unknown nuclide has mass number

CHEMISTRY · Subjective · AP · Chemistry · Atomic Structure and Properties · Atomic Structure and Properties

Problem

An unknown nuclide

X

has mass number

60

. It undergoes two successive electron-capture events, each of which converts one proton into one neutron, and finally becomes the stable nucleus

{}^{60}\!\text{Ni}

. (i) Determine the atomic number of

X

before any capture takes place. (ii) Find the number of neutrons present in

X

. (iii) Show that

X

and

{}^{60}\!\text{Ni}

are related as isobars and not as isotopes. (iv) Identify the chemical symbol of the element corresponding to

X