Let's evaluate each statement regarding nuclear fusion reactions:
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The atomic number of the product is the sum of the atomic number of the reactants.
- True. In nuclear fusion, the reacting nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, so the atomic number of the product is indeed the sum of the atomic numbers of the reactants.
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The product of a nuclear fusion reaction is always an element not found in nature.
- False. While fusion can produce elements that are not typically found in nature (for example, certain isotopes), it can also produce elements that do exist naturally. For instance, fusion in stars primarily converts hydrogen into helium, an element that is abundant in nature.
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The number of particles in the product is greater than the number of particles of the reactants.
- False. In fusion reactions, typically two light nuclei combine to form one heavier nucleus. Thus, the number of particles in the product is less than that in the reactants.
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The product has more mass than the reactants because some mass is converted into energy.
- False. In fusion, the opposite is true. The product has less mass than the combined mass of the reactants, because some of the mass is converted into energy, as per the mass-energy equivalence principle (E=mc²).
Conclusion:
The correct statement is: The atomic number of the product is the sum of the atomic number of the reactants. This is true for nuclear fusion reactions, as they involve the combination of light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus.