What parts of an atom can change during a nuclear reaction that cannot change during a chemical reaction? Question 15 options: A. The number of protons and neutrons B. The number of electrons only C. The number of protons and electrons D. The number of neutrons and electrons
Neutrons and protons cannot be removed from nucleus from chemical reactions because they are strongly held together but nuclear reactions are strong enough to separate them. Hence option A is correct.
Nuclear reactions involve a change in the nucleus of an atom, usually producing a different element. Chemical reactions, on the other hand, involve only a rearrangement of electrons and do not involve changes in the nuclei.
Therefore the parts of an atom that can change during a nuclear reaction but can not change during a chemical reaction is the number of protons and neutrons that are found in the nucleus.
