Which of the following BEST describes what occurs in a fusion reaction?
a
Two low mass nuclei are joined to form one nucleus and gives off energy.
b
A chemical reaction occurs between the nuclei.
c
A single nucleus divides into two or more nuclei and gives off energy.
d
Electrons are shared between the nuclei.
a
Two low mass nuclei are joined to form one nucleus and gives off energy.
The correct answer is option a: Two low mass nuclei are joined to form one nucleus and gives off energy.
The correct answer is option a: Two low mass nuclei are joined to form one nucleus and gives off energy.
In a fusion reaction, two low mass nuclei come together to form a single nucleus, which is typically a larger and more stable nucleus. This process releases a significant amount of energy. The most common example of fusion reaction is the nuclear reactions that take place in the Sun, where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium nuclei.
To arrive at this answer, you can eliminate options b, c, and d through the process of elimination. Option b suggests a chemical reaction, but fusion reactions involve nuclear forces, not chemical reactions. Option c describes a process called nuclear fission, where a large nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei. This is the opposite of fusion. Option d mentions electrons being shared, but fusion reactions involve the nuclei rather than the electrons.