The energy released in a nuclear reaction comes from
Correct answer: B. the small loss of mass, converted according to E equals mc squared
- A. the chemical bonds between atoms
- B. the small loss of mass, converted according to E equals mc squared
- C. the kinetic energy of the electrons
- D. friction inside the nucleus
Explanation
The products of fission or fusion have slightly less total mass than the reactants, and that mass defect appears as energy, which is why nuclear reactions release millions of times more energy per event than chemical ones. The binding energy per nucleon curve, peaking near iron, explains why light nuclei release energy by fusing and heavy ones by splitting. Chemical bonds involve only the outer electrons.
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About Composition of Atomic Nuclei
Atomic nuclei contain positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons, collectively called nucleons. Questions use atomic number, mass number and nuclear notation to identify isotopes, isobars and isotones, and may connect nuclear composition with nuclear charge, mass defect, binding energy and the stability of the nucleus.
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