Responses
The number of protons in the resulting nucleus is less than in each starting nucleus.
The number of protons in the resulting nucleus is less than in each starting nucleus.
The combined number of protons and neutrons remains constant.
The combined number of protons and neutrons remains constant.
The total number of protons and neutrons in each nucleus remains constant.
The total number of protons and neutrons in each nucleus remains constant.
The number of protons in the resulting nucleus is double that of a starting nucleus.
1 answer
The statement that is always true when nuclear fusion occurs is:
The combined number of protons and neutrons remains constant.
This is because in fusion reactions, lighter nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, and while mass can be converted to energy (as per Einstein's equation \(E=mc^2\)), the total number of nucleons (protons and neutrons) from the reactants is equal to the total number of nucleons in the products, taking into account any energy released.
