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 single nucleus divides into two or more nuclei and gives off energy.
c
A chemical reaction occurs between the nuclei.
d
Electrons are shared between the nuclei.
a
The BEST description of what occurs in a fusion reaction is:
a) Two low mass nuclei are joined to form one nucleus and gives off energy.
The best answer that describes what occurs in a fusion reaction is option (a): "Two low mass nuclei are joined to form one nucleus and gives off energy."
To understand why, let's break down the process of fusion. Fusion is a nuclear reaction in which two low mass nuclei, such as hydrogen isotopes (like deuterium and tritium), combine to form a single nucleus of a different element, such as helium. This process occurs under extreme temperatures and pressure, such as those found in the core of stars or during a nuclear fusion reaction.
During fusion, the two nuclei come close enough together that the nuclear forces between them overcome the electrostatic repulsion (due to the positive charges of the nuclei). As a result, the two nuclei merge or "fuse" together, forming a larger, more stable nucleus. This process releases a tremendous amount of energy, which is why fusion reactions are often referred to as a potential source of clean, abundant energy.
Option (b) is not correct because it describes the process of nuclear fission, where a heavy nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing energy. Option (c) is incorrect because fusion reactions are not chemical reactions; they are nuclear reactions that involve changes in the atomic nucleus. Option (d) is unrelated to fusion and describes the sharing of electrons in a covalent bond, which is a phenomenon observed in chemical reactions, not fusion reactions.