Which statement is always true when nuclear fusion occurs?(1 point)
Responses
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 less than in each starting nucleus.
The number of protons in the resulting nucleus is less than in each starting nucleus.
The number of protons in the resulting nucleus is double that of a starting nucleus.
The combined number of protons and neutrons remains constant.
The statement that is always true when nuclear fusion occurs is: "The total number of protons and neutrons in each nucleus remains constant."
The correct statement is: "The total number of protons and neutrons in each nucleus remains constant."
Nuclear fusion is a process in which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. During this process, the nuclei undergo a series of changes, but the total number of protons and neutrons remains constant. The nuclei effectively merge, and the resulting nucleus has the same total number of protons and neutrons as the sum of the starting nuclei.
To arrive at this answer, you can eliminate the other options by understanding the principles of nuclear fusion. The statement about the combined number of protons and neutrons remaining constant is true, as mentioned earlier. The statement about the number of protons in the resulting nucleus being less than in each starting nucleus is false because nuclear fusion typically involves the fusion of lighter nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. Lastly, the statement about the number of protons in the resulting nucleus being double that of a starting nucleus is also false because fusion reactions do not double the number of protons.
Therefore, the correct statement is that the total number of protons and neutrons in each nucleus remains constant during nuclear fusion.