Question

How does a nuclear reaction differ from a chemical reaction? ch 302?

Answer 1

A nuclar reaction involves change in nucleuos of the atom.

A chemical reaction involves interactions of the electrons.

During a chemical reaction the atoms are not transformed. They just mofify the ways one is bonded to each other.

For example, in water, H2O, two atoms of hydrogen are bonded to one atom of oxygen. If Water undergoes a chemical reaction and become H2O2, the atoms of hydrogen and the atoms of oxygen are the same kind of atoms in both compounds (H2O and H2O2), but the atoms ara bonded differently one to each other.


On the other hand, when a nuclear reaction occurs the atom changes. The atoms become different kind of atoms. For example, Uranium - 238 decays to Thorium - 234. The atom of uranium emits alfa particles and gamma radiation and transform, the atomic number changes, and so the atom has changed.