Question

A simple fusion reaction involves the production of hydrogen-2 from the fusion of hydrogen-1 with a neutron. The total mass of the hydrogen-1 plus the neutron is less than the mass of the hydrogen-2. Which statement explains this difference in mass?

A. Mass was destroyed and disappeared during the process.
B. Mass from hydrogen-1 was converted into energy during the process.
C. Some of the mass was transformed into neutrons during the process.
D. Some of the mass burned and was transformed into gases during the process.​

Answer 1

B. Mass from hydrogen-1 was converted into energy during the process.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best explanation for this mass difference and deficiency is that mass from hydrogen - 1 was converted into energy during the process.

• In nuclear reactions, mass and energy equivalence is observable.
• So, most times, such reactions do not obey the law of conservation of energy and matter.
• This is because, some of the matter has been converted to energy in the process of the reaction.
• Therefore, the mass - energy equivalence predominates here.