Which term best describes the process of light nuclei fusing to form a heavier nucleus releasing energy?

Which term best describes the process of light nuclei fusing to form a heavier nucleus releasing energy?

• A. Nuclear Fission
• B. Chain reaction
• C. Mass defect
• D. Nuclear Fusion

Answer: (D)

This describes the fusion of light nuclei releasing energy. When light nuclei come together, they form a heavier nucleus with a higher binding energy per nucleon, so the resulting system is more stable. The small amount of mass that disappears during this process is converted into energy, which is why fusion releases energy. That’s why the term nuclear fusion is the best fit. Fission would be the splitting of a heavy nucleus, not joining light ones. A chain reaction describes a self-sustaining sequence of fission events, not the fusion process itself. Mass defect relates to the amount of mass converted to energy, not the name of the process.

This describes the fusion of light nuclei releasing energy. When light nuclei come together, they form a heavier nucleus with a higher binding energy per nucleon, so the resulting system is more stable. The small amount of mass that disappears during this process is converted into energy, which is why fusion releases energy. That’s why the term nuclear fusion is the best fit. Fission would be the splitting of a heavy nucleus, not joining light ones. A chain reaction describes a self-sustaining sequence of fission events, not the fusion process itself. Mass defect relates to the amount of mass converted to energy, not the name of the process.