Question

Dentify each of the following processes as nuclear (N) or chemical (C).

1.Fusion in the core of the sun
2.Combustion of fossil fuels
3.Fission in nuclear power plants
4.Stored energy in biomass
A) C, N, N, C
B) N, C, N, C
C) N, C, C, N
D) C, C, N, N

Answer 1

The processes fusion in the core of the sun and fission in nuclear power plants are nuclear (N) processes, whereas combustion of fossil fuels and stored energy in biomass are chemical (C) processes. Therefore, the correct categorization is B) N, C, N, C.

Step-by-step explanation:

To identify each process as nuclear (N) or chemical (C), let's consider the definitions of nuclear and chemical reactions.

• Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are processes that involve changes in the nucleus of an atom. Fission splits heavy atomic nuclei into lighter ones, releasing energy, while fusion combines light nuclei to form heavier ones, also releasing energy.
• Chemical reactions, on the other hand, involve the rearrangement of atoms and the making or breaking of chemical bonds rather than changes within the atomic nucleus.

Using these definitions, we can categorize the processes:

1. Fusion in the core of the sun (N)
2. Combustion of fossil fuels (C)
3. Fission in nuclear power plants (N)
4. Stored energy in biomass (C)

The correct answer to the student's question would be B) N, C, N, C.