QQuestionEngineering
QuestionEngineering
How does the composition of the nucleus change during fission, fusion, and radioactive decay?
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Step 1I'll solve this problem by explaining the nuclear processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay, focusing on how the nuclear composition changes in each process.
Step 2: Nuclear Composition Basics
- Represented by notation $$_{Z}^{A}X$$, where $$X$$ is the element symbol
Before discussing changes, we must understand nuclear composition:
Final Answer
Nuclear processes fundamentally change nuclear composition: - Radioactive decay: Reduces nucleon count - Fission: Splits heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei - Fusion: Combines light nuclei into heavier elements Each process involves changes in proton and neutron counts, resulting in different elements and energy release.
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