Question

Which best explains why nuclear reactions release more energy than chemical reactions?

A. The forces holding the nucleus together are much stronger than the forces binding electrons to atoms.
B. Protons have a much higher mass than either neutrons or electrons.
C. During a chemical reaction, some of the mass of the reactants is converted to energy.
D. In nuclear reactions, the electrons in the atom are not involved in the transmutation.

Answer 1

Answer: Option (A) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nuclear reaction is defined as the reaction where there will occur change in the nucleus of an atom.

Since, nucleus of an atom contains protons and neutrons and due to the same charge present n protons there will occur repulsion.

Hence, a binding energy will act on the nucleus of an atom which will bind the protons and neutrons together. When this binding energy is greater than the force of repulsion between the sub-atomic particles of a nucleus then the atom is stable.

Therefore, to change the nucleus of an atom high amount of energy is required. As a result, nuclear reactions tend to release large amount of energy due to changes in the nucleus of an atom.

Whereas in chemical reactions, only the participation of electrons takes place. Since, electrons are present outside the nucleus so, energy released in chemical reactions is less than the energy released in nuclear reactions.

Thus, we can conclude that the statement forces holding the nucleus together are much stronger than the forces binding electrons to atoms, best explains why nuclear reactions release more energy than chemical reactions.

Answer 2

In a nuclear reaction, mass is converted to energy according to the famous relation E = mc^2
So the best answer is :
C. During a chemical reaction, some of the mass of the reactants is converted to energy.