Which statement about the number of protons and neutrons in a nuclear change is correct?(1 point)ResponsesThe total charge before and after the change remains the same, but the total atomic mass is different.The total charge before and after the change remains the same, but the total atomic mass is different.The relative numbers of protons and neutrons can differ before and after the change, but the total number of those particles remains the same.The relative numbers of protons and neutrons can differ before and after the change, but the total number of those particles remains the same.The total atomic mass before and after the change remains the same, but the total charge is different.The total atomic mass before and after the change remains the same, but the total charge is different.The relative numbers of protons and neutrons are the same before and after the change.The relative numbers of protons and neutrons are the same before and after the change.

Answer 1

In a nuclear change, such as a nuclear reaction or decay, certain particles can transform into others, leading to changes in the number of protons and neutrons. Therefore, the correct statement is:

The total charge before and after the change remains the same, but the total atomic mass is different.

This is because the total charge (which is determined by the number of protons) does not change in many types of nuclear reactions, while the total atomic mass can change due to the conversion of mass into energy or the emission/absorption of particles.