Nuclear Reaction
What is Nuclear Reaction?
A nuclear reaction is a process in which the nucleus of an atom is transformed by interaction with another nucleus, a subatomic particle, or high-energy radiation, resulting in a change in the number of protons and/or neutrons. Nuclear reactions include radioactive decay, fission (splitting of heavy nuclei), fusion (combining of light nuclei), and neutron capture. They involve energies millions of times greater than ordinary chemical reactions and can result in the conversion of mass to energy according to E = mc².
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
A nuclear reaction is a process in which the nucleus of an atom is transformed by interaction with another nucleus, a subatomic particle, or high-energy radiation, resulting in a change in the number of protons and/or neutrons. Nuclear reactions include radioactive decay, fission (splitting of heavy nuclei), fusion (combining of light nuclei), and neutron capture. They involve energies millions of times greater than ordinary chemical reactions and can result in the conversion of mass to energy according to E = mc².