Question

To make the newly discovered, very large elements of the periodic table, researchers shoot a medium-size nucleus at a large nucleus. Sometimes a projectile nucleus and a target nucleus fuse to form one of the very large elements. In such a fusion, is the mass of the product greater than or less than the sum of the masses of the projectile and target nuclei?

Short answer

The mass of the product is always less than the sum of masses of the projectile in nuclear fusion.

Step-by-step solution

Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is the process in which two lighter nuclei of different or same atoms form a heavier nucleus by combination is called nuclear fusion. A huge amount of energy is absorbed by lighter nuclei.

Whether the mass of the product is greater or less than the sum of masses of the projectile in nuclear fusion

The mass of the product is always less than the sum of masses of the projectile in nuclear fusion because some of the masses of the projectile are converted into energy. The mass of the projectile is converted to energy to form the product atom.

Therefore, the mass of the product is always less than the sum of masses of the projectile in nuclear fusion.