Which statement about the balanced equations for nuclear and chemical changes is correct? (1 point)
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 mass number of each element before and after the change.
Both are balanced according to the mass number of each element before and after the change.
Both are 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.
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.
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."
To understand why this is the correct statement, let's clarify the differences between nuclear and chemical changes and how their equations are balanced.
Nuclear changes involve changes in the nucleus of an atom, such as radioactive decay or nuclear reactions. These changes result in the formation or breakdown of different isotopes of an element. Balancing a nuclear equation involves ensuring that the total number of protons and neutrons (i.e., the mass number) is conserved on both sides of the equation.
Chemical changes, on the other hand, involve the rearrangement of atoms to form new substances during a chemical reaction. Balancing a chemical equation involves ensuring that the total number of each type of atom is conserved on both sides of the equation.
Therefore, a nuclear equation is balanced according to the mass number (total number of protons and neutrons) of the elements involved, while a chemical equation is balanced according to the total mass (total number of atoms) before and after the change.
The option that correctly describes this distinction 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."