Question

{"given":"$$^{22}_{10}\\mathrm{Ne} \\rightarrow 2\\,^{4}_{2}\\alpha + ^{A}_{Z}X$$","key_observation":"In nuclear reactions, both mass number (A) and atomic number (Z) are conserved. The unknown nucleus is identified by finding its A and Z from conservation laws.","option_analysis":[{"label":"(A)","text":"Nitrogen ($Z = 7$)","verdict":"incorrect","explanation":"Conservation of atomic number gives $Z = 10 - 2\\times2 = 6$, not 7. Nitrogen has $Z=7$, which does not satisfy conservation."},{"label":"(B)","text":"Carbon ($Z = 6$, $A = 14$)","verdict":"correct","explanation":"Mass number: $A = 22 - 2\\times4 = 14$; Atomic number: $Z = 10 - 2\\times2 = 6$. Element with $Z=6$ is Carbon, giving $^{14}_{6}$C."},{"label":"(C)","text":"Boron ($Z = 5$)","verdict":"incorrect","explanation":"Boron has $Z=5$, but conservation of atomic number requires $Z = 10 - 4 = 6$, so Boron is ruled out."},{"label":"(D)","text":"Oxygen ($Z = 8$)","verdict":"incorrect","explanation":"Oxygen has $Z=8$, which would violate conservation of atomic number since the required $Z = 6$."}],"answer":"(B)","formula_steps":[]}