Which statement about the balanced equations for nuclear and chemical changes is correct? (1 point)

Question

Responses

A nuclear equation is balanced according to mass number. A chemical equation is balanced according to the total mass before and after the change.
A nuclear equation is balanced according to mass number. A chemical equation is balanced according to the total mass before and after the change.

A chemical equation is balanced according to mass number. A nuclear equation is balanced according to the total mass before and after the change.
A chemical equation is balanced according to mass number. A nuclear equation is balanced according to the total mass before and after the change.

Both are balanced according to the total mass before and after the change.
Both are balanced according to the total mass before and after the change.

Both are balanced according to the mass number of each element before and after the change.

Answer 1

The correct statement is:

A nuclear equation is balanced according to mass number. A chemical equation is balanced according to the total mass before and after the change.

In nuclear reactions, the sum of the mass numbers and atomic numbers must be conserved, whereas, in chemical reactions, the law of conservation of mass states that the total mass of reactants must equal the total mass of products.