Which statement about the balanced equations for nuclear and chemical changes is correct? (1 point)ResponsesBoth 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.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.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.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.
A nuclear equation is balanced according to the total mass before and after the change, while a chemical equation is balanced according to the mass number of each element 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 chemical equation is balanced according to mass number. A nuclear equation is balanced according to the total mass before and after the change.
To understand why this is the correct statement, let's first talk about what it means for an equation to be balanced. In both chemical and nuclear changes, an equation is balanced when the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation is equal.
In a chemical equation, balancing is done by adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas. These coefficients represent the number of molecules or moles of each substance involved in the reaction. Balancing a chemical equation is typically done by using the law of conservation of mass, which states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. So, the total mass before the change should be equal to the total mass after the change.
On the other hand, in a nuclear equation, balancing is done by adjusting the atomic or mass numbers on both sides of the equation. This is because in nuclear reactions, the atomic or mass numbers of the particles involved can change. Unlike in chemical reactions, the law of conservation of mass is not the primary guiding principle. Instead, the law of conservation of mass-energy (equivalence of mass and energy) must be considered. So, the total mass (or mass number) before the change should be equal to the total mass (or mass number) after the change.
Therefore, in summary, a chemical equation is balanced according to the total mass before and after the change, while a nuclear equation is balanced according to the mass number (or total mass) before and after the change.