In Lecture 13 at 39 minutes, what is the Professor talking about when he says that they bombard silicon atoms with neutrons to make phosphorus because it changes the z-number? There are so many things wrong with that. You would make a new isotope but it would still be silicon. Additionally, the z-number is the number of protons, and has nothing to do with how many neutrons you add.

Question

In Lecture 13 at 39 minutes, what is the Professor talking about when he says that they bombard silicon atoms with neutrons to make phosphorus because it changes the z-number?  There are so many things wrong with that.  You would make a new isotope but it would still be silicon.  Additionally, the z-number is the number of protons, and has nothing to do with how many neutrons you add.

anonymous · Answer

Ahhh I'm thinking that the silicon must undergo beta decay afterwords and the professor skipped this point.

anonymous · Answer

well i think atoms of silicon is hit with neutrons

more ovre z does not change only the mass no changes

anonymous · Answer

I asked myself the exact same question when I watched that lecture. I like it when they leave something out (or even make a few mistakes) because it forces me to stay alert. Anyhow, I looked it up and yeah, the silicon undergoes beta decay. Also, according to what I read online (I don't remember where, sorry) neutron bombardment is an uncommon process for doping silicon.