Question

Question Which of these is true for a nuclear fusion reaction?(1 point) Responses The product of a nuclear fusion reaction is always an element not found in nature. The product of a nuclear fusion reaction is always an element not found in nature. The atomic number of the product is the sum of the atomic number of the reactants. The atomic number of the product is the sum of the atomic number of the reactants. The product has more mass than the reactants because some mass is converted into energy. The product has more mass than the reactants because some mass is converted into energy. The number of particles in the product is greater than the number of particles of the reactants.

Answer 1

The correct statement regarding a nuclear fusion reaction is:

The product has more mass than the reactants because some mass is converted into energy.

In a nuclear fusion reaction, light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, and due to the mass-energy equivalence principle (E=mc²), a small amount of mass is converted into energy, resulting in the product being lighter than the sum of the reactants. Thus, the correct option reflects that the total mass is converted into energy, rather than the product having more mass.

Additionally:

• The product of a fusion reaction can indeed be an element found in nature.
• The atomic number of the product is the sum of the atomic numbers of the reactants, but typically during fusion, two light elements combine into a heavier one.
• The number of particles in the product is usually less than or equal to the number of particles in the reactants due to the fusion of nuclei.

So, the most precise statement among those provided is that mass is converted into energy.