How do I reduce proton number of an atomic nucleus?

Question

I know that one can increase proton number of an atomic nucleus by proton bombardment as Cockroft and Walton bombarded elements with protons and managed to increase the atomic number. However, how can we decrease the proton number of an element? Can we do it by electron bombardment? Are there any references for this process? Can anyone here help me please with this problem?
Thank you guys.

Jon Custer · Accepted Answer

To show the broad range of possibilities to kick an proton out of a nucleus, I will look first at ENDF, the Evaluated Nuclear Data File site.
So, looking at reaction involving 14N with either a neutron or gamma going in, one gets a number of reactions including:

N-14(G,P)C-13
N-14(N,P)C-14
N-14(N,D)C-13
N-14(N,T)C-12
N-14(N,A)B-11

All involve kicking at least one proton and perhaps some neutrons as well out of the nucleus.
Going to ENSDF, the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File, and looking at reactions that result in 13C, one gets

14N(P,2P)13C
14N(D,3HE)13C
14N(T,A)13C
15N(P,3HE)13C
16O(N,A)13C
16O(9BE,12C)13C

So, even for a small sample of reactions, there are quite a few that result in a net loss of one (or more) protons from the target nucleus.

How do I reduce proton number of an atomic nucleus?

One Answer

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question