Choose Fission or fusion for the statement.
The number of nucleons stays the same, number of nuclei increases (Fission/Fusion)
The number of nucleons stays the same, total mass decreases slightly (Fission/Fusion)
Fusion.
The correct choice for the statements is:
1. The number of nucleons stays the same, number of nuclei increases - Fusion.
2. The number of nucleons stays the same, total mass decreases slightly - Fission.
For the first statement, where the number of nucleons stays the same while the number of nuclei increases, the correct answer is "Fission."
To understand why, let's break it down. Fission is a nuclear reaction where the nucleus of an atom is split into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy. In this process, the parent nucleus is divided into two or more daughter nuclei, leading to the creation of more nuclei.
On the other hand, fusion refers to a nuclear reaction where two or more smaller atomic nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus. This fusion process releases a tremendous amount of energy. However, in fusion, the number of nuclei decreases, as the smaller nuclei combine to form a single larger nucleus.
So, based on the description given in the statement, where the number of nucleons (the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus) stays the same, while the number of nuclei increases, the correct choice is "Fission."
Now, let's move on to the second statement, where the number of nucleons stays the same, but the total mass decreases slightly.
In this case, the correct answer is "Fusion."
When fusion occurs, the total mass of the fused nuclei is slightly smaller than the sum of the masses of the participating nuclei. This difference in mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation, E=mc².
So, to summarize:
1. The number of nucleons stays the same, and the number of nuclei increases: Fission.
2. The number of nucleons stays the same, and the total mass decreases slightly: Fusion.