Question

Which of the following distinguishes a nuclear reaction from a chemical reaction? a.It involves atoms.

b.There is an exchange of electrons.
c.Mass is conserved.
d.There is a change in the nucleus.

Answer 1

Answer: Option (D) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a nuclear reaction, subparticles like protons and neutrons are involved in a reaction. So, basically changes in the nucleus of an atom occurs.

This is because in a nuclear reaction either two nuclei combine to form a larger nuclei different from its parent atom or nucleus of an atom dissociates into different atoms.

For example,
`^(2)_(1)H + ^(3)_(1)H \rightarrow ^(4)_(2)He + ^(1)_(0)n` is a nuclear fusion reaction.

Whereas in a chemical reaction exchange of electrons occur or we can say electrons are involved in chemical reactions.

For example,
`2Na(s) + Cl_(2)(g) \rightarrow 2NaCl`

Thus, we can conclude that out of the given options, there is a change in the nucleus distinguishes a nuclear reaction from a chemical reaction.

Answer 2

The option that distinguishes a nuclear reaction from a chemical reaction is D. there is a change in the nucleus.
During a nuclear reaction, two light nuclei combine in order to create a new, heavier one which is different than those two original ones and has additional particles that it didn't have originally. This is what makes the difference between these two reactions.