Question

How do nuclear reactions differ from ordinary chemical reactions?

Short answer

Nuclear reactions involve changes in the nucleus of an atom and can change one element into another, often releasing large amounts of energy. Chemical reactions, on the other hand, involve a rearrangement of electrons within an atom and occur on the electron shell; they can't transform one element to another. Hence, the key differences lie in where the reaction takes place (nucleus versus electron shell), the possibility of elemental transformation, and the amount of energy released.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions occur when two substances interact to form new substances. This process involves the rearrangement of atoms and the breaking and forming of new chemical bonds between these atoms. These reactions only affect the arrangements of electrons in an atom as they occur in the electron shell.

Understanding Nuclear Reactions

A nuclear reaction involves changes in the nucleus of an atom. Unlike chemical reactions, nuclear reactions can change one element into another. In these reactions, there is a change in the protons or neutrons in the atom's nucleus. This often involves the release of a large amount of energy.

Distinguishing Between the Two

The major differences between nuclear and chemical reactions include the following: In chemical reactions, atoms are changed by reconfiguring the electrons, while in nuclear reactions, atoms are changed by altering the protons or neutrons in the nucleus. Additionally, nuclear reactions release much more energy compared to chemical reactions. Lastly, nuclear reactions can change an element into an entirely different element, a transformation that doesn’t occur in chemical reactions.