Question

Examine the nuclear reaction: (1/1)H+(1/0)n-->(2/1)H. Why is this classified as a nuclear reaction rather than a chemical reaction?

It is not balanced.
A new compound is formed.
A change has occurred in a nucleus.
A new element has been formed.

Answer 1

Answer: Option (c) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

A reaction in which there occurs change in the number of protons or neutrons because of collisions between two nuclei or an atom and a subatomic particle is known as a nuclear reaction.

For example,
`^(1)_(1)H + ^(1)_(0)n \rightarrow ^(2)_(1)H`

Here, a neutron is added to the nucleus of hydrogen atom. Therefore, it is a nuclear reaction.

In a chemical reaction there is gain or loss of electrons which results in the formation of a new compound and no change in the nucleus of an atom.

Thus, we can conclude that the given reaction is classified as a nuclear reaction rather than a chemical reaction because a change has occurred in a nucleus.

Answer 2

I believe the correct answer from the choices would be that a change has occurred in a nucleus. A change in the nucleus would always describe a nuclear reaction rather than a chemical reaction. This only happens when a particle is being bombarded with high energy particles.