Question

Which of the following would be an example of nuclear fusion?Bombarding uranium nuclei with beta particles to produce two lighter atomic nuclei. Colliding hydrogen atoms to produce heavier helium atoms. An unstable nucleus decays over a period of time. Cobalt releasing gamma rays during decay to be used for a medical imaging.

Answer 1

Nuclear fusion is the combination of two nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. Colliding hydrogen atoms to produce helium is a form of nuclear fusion.

Answer 2

Answer: Option (b) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

A nuclear fusion is defined as the reaction in which two small nuclei combine together and result in the formation of a large nuclei.

For example, $^{2}_{1}H + ^{2}_{1}H \rightarrow ^{4}_{2}He$

On the other hand, a reaction in which a large nuclei divides into two small nuclei is known as a nuclear fission reaction.

For example, $^{238}_{92}U \rightarrow ^{234}_{90}Th + ^{4}_{2}He$

Thus, we can conclude that colliding hydrogen atoms to produce heavier helium atoms would be an example of nuclear fusion.