Which statement best explains why mass is not conserved in a nuclear change?

Some of the matter is converted to energy. Some of the matter is converted to energy. Some of the atoms are lost in the reaction. Some of the atoms are lost in the reaction. 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.

The statement "Some of the matter is converted to energy" best explains why mass is not conserved in a nuclear change.

The statement that best explains why mass is not conserved in a nuclear change is: "Some of the matter is converted to energy." In nuclear reactions, such as nuclear fission or fusion, a small amount of matter is converted into a large amount of energy according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc². This means that a tiny fraction of the mass is transformed into energy, leading to a decrease in the total mass of the system.

The correct statement that best explains why mass is not conserved in a nuclear change is "Some of the matter is converted to energy." When a nuclear change occurs, such as in nuclear fission or fusion, a small amount of matter is converted into a large amount of energy according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc². This energy can be released in various forms, such as light, heat, or kinetic energy. Since energy is equivalent to mass, the conversion of matter into energy leads to a decrease in the total mass of the system. So, in nuclear changes, mass is not conserved because some of it is transformed into energy.