Answer: C. Some of uranium's mass is converted into energy, so the smaller atoms have less mass.
Explanation:
From Einstein's mass-energy relation:
E = mc²
Mass and energy are equivalent. Mass can be converted into energy and energy into mass.
When Uranium atoms under go nuclear fission, smaller atoms are formed and huge amount of energy is released. This energy comes from the mass difference of the uranium nuclei and new nuclei formed. This mass converted into energy according to Einstein's equation.
A related type of beta decay actually decreases the atomic number of the nucleus when a proton becomes a neutron. Due to charge conservation, this type of beta decay involves the release of a charged particle called a “positron” that looks and acts like an electron but has a positive charge.
