(Solved): Californium, element number 98 , was first synthesized by bombarding a target with alpha particles. ...

Californium, element number 98 , was first synthesized by bombarding a target with alpha particles. The products were Californium-245 and a neutron. What was the target isotope used in this nuclear synthesis? \( { }_{96}^{242} \mathrm{Cm} \), Curium-242 \( { }_{92}^{238} U \), Uranium \( -238 \) \( { }_{97}^{247} \mathrm{Bk} \); Berkelium-247 \( { }_{91}^{231} \mathrm{~Pa} \), Protactinium-231