Which one of the following descriptions relating to nuclear reactions is correct?

A. The number of protons plus neutrons remains constant.
B. The number of electron remains constant.
C. The total charge changes.
D. The total number of nucleons changes.
E. The ratio of neutrons to protons remains constant.

Respuesta :

Answer: option D - The total number of nucleons changes.

Explanation:

Nuclear Reaction is best described as a process such as the fission of an atomic nucleus, or the fusion of one or more atomic nuclei and / or subatomic particles in which the NUMBER of PROTONS and / or NEUTRONS in a nucleus CHANGES; the reaction products may contain a different element or a different isotope of the same element.

Note that the NUCLEONS refers to ONE of the subatomic particles of the atomic nucleus, i.e. a PROTON or a NEUTRON.

So, in a Nuclear reaction, the total number of nucleons changes.