Question

What are the two principal differences between nuclear reactions and ordinary chemical changes?

Short answer

1) Nuclear reactions are reactions in which the nucleus of one element converts into the nucleus of another element, while chemical reactions are reactions in which atoms are rearranged to form products.

2) Nuclear reactions are not influenced by external factors, while chemical reactions are influenced by them.

Step-by-step solution

Types of reactions

Based on the interacting units of an atom, the reactions can be classified into two types: nuclear reactions and chemical reactions.

In nuclear reactions, the nucleus of an atom interacts with the nucleus of other atoms.

In chemical reactions the valence electrons of an atom will interact with the valence electrons of other atoms

Explanation

The two principal differences between the nuclear reactions and the chemical reactions are:

Nuclear reactions are reactions in which the nucleus of one element converts into the nucleus of another element.

While chemical reactions are reactions in which valence electrons of atoms will interact with each other.

Nuclear reactions are not influenced by external factors (for example: temperature and pressure do not affect them).

While chemical reactions are influenced by the external factors.