Differentiate between chemical reactions and nuclear reactions.

1.	Differentiate between chemical reactions and nuclear reactions.
Answer» Chemical reactions: Rearrangement of atoms by breaking and forming of chemical bonds. Different isotopes of an element have same behaviour. Only outer shell electrons take part in the chemical reaction. The chemical reaction is accompanied by relatively small amounts of energy. e.g. chemical combustion of 1.0 g methane releases only 56 kJ energy. The rates of reaction are influenced by the temperature, pressure, concentration and catalyst. Nuclear reactions: Elements or isotopes of one element are converted into another element in a nuclear reaction. Isotopes of an element behave differently. In addition to electrons, protons, neutrons, other elementary particles may be involved. The nuclear reaction is accompanied by a large amount of energy change, e.g. The nuclear transformation of 1 g of Uranium – 235 release 8.2 × 10⁷ kJ The rate of nuclear reactions is unaffected by temperature, pressure and catalyst.

Answer»

Chemical reactions:

Rearrangement of atoms by breaking and forming of chemical bonds.
Different isotopes of an element have same behaviour.
Only outer shell electrons take part in the chemical reaction.
The chemical reaction is accompanied by relatively small amounts of energy. e.g. chemical combustion of 1.0 g methane releases only 56 kJ energy.
The rates of reaction are influenced by the temperature, pressure, concentration and catalyst.

Nuclear reactions:

Elements or isotopes of one element are converted into another element in a nuclear reaction.
Isotopes of an element behave differently.
In addition to electrons, protons, neutrons, other elementary particles may be involved.
The nuclear reaction is accompanied by a large amount of energy change, e.g. The nuclear transformation of 1 g of Uranium – 235 release 8.2 × 10⁷ kJ
The rate of nuclear reactions is unaffected by temperature, pressure and catalyst.

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