Question

A reaction in which small nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus is called ____. a. fission c. background radiation b. a chemical reaction d. fusion

Answer 1

The correct answer is D) fusion. In fact, nuclear fusion occurs when two (or more) small nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. In the process, a large amount of energy is released, according to Einstein's formula $E=mc^2$, where m is the mass converted into energy in the reaction. An example of nuclear fusion is the fusion of two nuclei of hydrogen into a nucleus of helium-4.