Which statement best explains why mass is not conserved in a nuclear change?(1 point)ResponsesSome of the matter is converted to energy.Some of the matter is converted to energy.Some of the products have less mass than the reactants.Some of the products have less mass than the reactants.Some of the reactants are not used.Some of the reactants are not used.Some of the atoms are lost in the reaction.
Some of the matter is converted to energy.
The statement "Some of the matter is converted to energy" best explains why mass is not conserved in a nuclear change.
The correct answer is: Some of the matter is converted to energy.
When it comes to nuclear changes, such as nuclear fission or nuclear fusion, mass is not conserved because a small portion of the matter involved is converted into energy. This is in accordance with Einstein's famous equation, E=mc², where E represents energy, m represents mass, and c represents the speed of light. The equation shows that mass can be converted into energy and vice versa. In nuclear reactions, a small amount of mass is converted into a large amount of energy, which is released in the form of radiation or as kinetic energy of the reaction products. Therefore, the total mass of the products is less than the total mass of the reactants, and mass is not conserved.