Which of the following is characteristic of a nuclear reaction
I. Electrons in atomic orbitals are involved in the breaking and forming of bonds
II. Elements are converted from one to another
III. Reaction rates are typically not affected by catalysts
IV. Atoms are rearranged by the breaking and forming of chemical bonds
A) I and II
B) I, II, and III
C) III and IV
D) II and III
E) I, II, III, and IV

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Characteristics of a nuclear reaction are the conversion of elements from one to another, which is represented by II, and reaction rates are typically not affected by catalysts, which is represented by III. Electrons in atomic orbitals are involved in the breaking and forming of bonds in chemical reactions, not in nuclear reactions, so I and IV are not characteristic of a nuclear reaction. Therefore, the best choice is D, which includes II and III.

Which of the Following Is Characteristic of a Nuclear Reaction