Explain how nuclear reactions change the composition of an atom's nucleus?

Answer 1

"Nuclear reactions" is a very broad subject. I'll give you the major types of reactions.

alpha decay: the nucleus of an atom "ejects" a He-4 nucleus (the "alpha" particle). The original atom (called the parent) has lost 2 protons and 2 neutrons and is now an element with an atomic number lower by 2 and a mass number lower by 4.

beta (-) decay (also called neutron decay): in the parent nucleus a neutron "decays" into a proton and an electron. The proton stays in the nucleus (thus raising the atomic number by 1) and the electron (the beta particle) is ejected from the nucleus at a very high speed. There is no change in mass number since you lost a neutron but gained a proton.

beta (+) decay (also called proton decay): in the parent nucleus a proton "decays" into a neutron and an antielectron (or beta +). The neutron stays in the nucleus and the beta + is ejected. The parent has lost a proton so the new nucleus has an atomic number lower by 1. There is no change in the mass number since a proton was lost but a neutron was gained.

gamma decay: energy is lost in the form of gamma radiation (a form of light). There is no change in atomic structure; the new nucleus is just in a lower, more stable energy state.

electron capture: an inner electron wanders too closely to the nucleus and is "captured". The electron then bonds with a proton in the nucleus, producing a neutron. The new nucleus has one less proton so its atomic number goes down by 1. There is no change in mass number since a proton was lost but a neutron gained.

Fission: a large, unstable nucleus "splits" into smaller fragments (sometimes with neutrons given off). The fragments have lower proton and neutron numbers than the original parent.

Fusion: two nuclei "fuse" together. The new nucleus has the combined number of protons and neutrons (sometimes neutrons are given off so the new nucleus may end up lower in neutrons).

Answer 2

A nuclear reaction is a transformation to the atom's nucleus. Splitting an atom is changing the nucleus, subsequently, that's a nuclear reaction. Splitting an atom isn't a reason of a nuclear reaction. it somewhat is the act of a nuclear reaction. the reason of nuclear reactions is very practically continually instability interior the nucleus of the atom. Atoms attempt to exist in a solid state, that's why we've reactions, and expenditures, etc. The atoms attempt to stabilize themselves.