Question

If mass is conserved during a nuclear reaction, then _____. the mass of the daughter elements will have decreased from that of the parent element the total atomic mass of the daughter elements should equal that of the parent element the mass of the daughter elements will have increased by as many protons as times decayed from the parent element the mass of the parent elements will have split evenly into two identical daughter elements

Answer 1

If mass is conserved during a nuclear reaction, then the total atomic mass of the daughter elements should be equal to that of the parent element. However, Unlike a chemical reaction, a nuclear reaction results in a significant change in mass and an associated change of energy, as described by Eistein's Equation. Nuclear reactions are accompanied by large changes in energy, which result in detectable changes in mass.