A neutron strikes an atom of uranium-235 to start a fission reaction. A student expresses this situation as 0/1n+235/92U. Which statement describes why the expression is incorrect?

Question

• The atomic number for uranium-235 is in the wrong location
• A neutron should be expressed as 1/1 H, not 0/1H.
• The mass number for uranium-235 is in the wrong location
• A neutron should be expressed as 1/0n, not 0/1n.

Answer 1

The correct statement that describes why the expression is incorrect is:
• A neutron should be expressed as 1/0n, not 0/1n.