Question

In nuclear fission, which of the following quantity is conserved ?

• A. Energy
• B. Mass
• C. Momentum
• D. Both energy and mass

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

In a nuclear reaction, mass is not conserved. The difference in masses of reactants and product nuclei, known as the mass defect is converted to an equivalent amount of energy according to Einstien's equation $E=m{c}^2$ . However, total mass-energy is conserved, that the equivalent energy of the entire masses of reactants is same as that of the products plus the energy of the radiations produced.