Physics
Physics
Problem
8. The following equation is an example of what kind of nuclear reaction A) fission B) fusion C) alpha decay D) beta decayIntuitive explanation
This reaction combines two light nuclei into a heavier one, releasing energy in the process—the hallmark of fusion. The key insight is recognizing that fusion joins smaller nuclei together (here, carbon and helium merge into oxygen), which is the opposite of fission that splits heavy nuclei apart. When light nuclei fuse, the products are more tightly bound, so mass converts to energy.
Intuitive explanation
This reaction combines two light nuclei into a heavier one, releasing energy in the process—the hallmark of fusion. The key insight is recognizing that fusion joins smaller nuclei together (here, carbon and helium merge into oxygen), which is the opposite of fission that splits heavy nuclei apart. When light nuclei fuse, the products are more tightly bound, so mass converts to energy.