Q.5.45 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Indicate whether each of the following is characteristic of the fission or fusion process, or both:

a. Neutrons bombard a nucleus.

b. The nuclear process occurs in the Sun.

c. A large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei.

d. Small nuclei combine to form larger nuclei.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(part a) Neutrons bombard a nucleus is the characteristic of fission process.

(part b) The nuclear process occurring in the sun is the characteristic of fusion process.

(part c) A large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei is the characteristic of fission process.

(part d) Small nuclei combine to form larger nuclei is characteristic of fusion process.

Step 1 Given information (part a)

Fission is characterized by the bombardment of a nucleus by neutrons.

Step 2: Explanation (part a)

The hallmark of the fission process is that neutrons bombard a nucleus.

Step 3: Given information (part b)

Fusion is characterized by the nuclear process that occurs in the sun.

Step 4: Explanation (part b)

Fusion is defined by the nuclear process that occurs in the sun.

Step 5: Given information (part c)

The fission process is characterized by a big nucleus splitting into smaller nuclei.

Step 6: Explanation (part c)

Fission is characterized by the splitting of a big nucleus into smaller nuclei.

Step 7: Given information (part d)

The fusion process can be characterized by small nuclei combining to generate larger nuclei.

Step 8: Explanation (part d)

Fusion is a process in which small nuclei merge to generate larger nuclei.