Question
Which changes happen in a nuclear fusion reaction? (1 point)
The number of nucleons stays the same, while total mass decreases slightly.
The number of nuclei stays the same, while the total mass increases slightly.
The number of nucleons stays the same, while total mass increases slightly.
The number of nuclei stays the same, while the total mass decreases slightly.
The number of nucleons stays the same, while total mass decreases slightly.
The number of nuclei stays the same, while the total mass increases slightly.
The number of nucleons stays the same, while total mass increases slightly.
The number of nuclei stays the same, while the total mass decreases slightly.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In a nuclear fusion reaction, the correct statement is:
**The number of nucleons stays the same, while total mass decreases slightly.**
In fusion, lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, and during this process, a small amount of mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's equation \(E=mc^2\). Therefore, the total mass of the resulting nucleus is slightly less than the sum of the masses of the original nuclei.
**The number of nucleons stays the same, while total mass decreases slightly.**
In fusion, lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, and during this process, a small amount of mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's equation \(E=mc^2\). Therefore, the total mass of the resulting nucleus is slightly less than the sum of the masses of the original nuclei.