Question

A reaction that results in the combining of smaller atomic nuclei is _____.

A.Fusion

B.Fission

C.Chemical

D.Ionization

Answer 1

A reaction that results in the combining of smaller atomic nuclei is A. Fusion.

Step-by-step explanation

Atomic nuclei change only in nuclear reactions. Such reactions will alter the atom itself. In chemical reactions, nuclei stay intact. Atoms join only by the electrons outside the nuclei. Also, nuclear reactions are much more energetic.

Ionization is a chemical process. Doing so removes electrons from an atom without altering its nucleus.

Example: ionization of an H atom:

`\text{H} \to \text{H}^(+) + \text{e}^(-)`

Atomic symbols stay the same in a chemical process like ionization.

In a fusion reaction, two smaller nuclei merge to produce a larger nucleus. For example, one
`^(2)_(1)\text{H}` join a
`^(1)_(1)\text{H}` to produce one
`^(3)_(2)\text{He}`, which has more nucleons than its reactants.

Example of a fusion reaction:

`^(1)_(1)\text{H} + ^(2)_(1)\text{H} \to ^(3)_(2) \text{He}`.

In a fission reaction, one large nuclei split into two or more smaller nuclei. For example,
`^(235)\text{U}` can split into
`^(92)\text{Kr}` and
`^(141)\text{Ba}` after capturing a neutron.

Example of a fission reaction:

`^(235)_{\phantom{2}92}\text{U} + ^(1)_(0)\text{n} \to ^(92)_(36)\text{Kr} + ^(141)_{\phantom{1}56}\text{Ba} + 3 \; ^(1)_(0)\text{n}`.

Note the change in both the atomic symbol and the atomic number in nuclear reactions.