Question

in nuclear fusion, smaller atoms are forced together to create larger atoms. does this process release, absorb or maintain energy? absorb energy release energy maintain energy

Explanation:

In nuclear fusion, when smaller atoms combine to form larger atoms, the mass of the resulting larger atom is slightly less than the sum of the masses of the smaller atoms (mass defect). According to Einstein's mass - energy equivalence principle $E = mc^{2}$, this mass defect is converted into energy, which is released. So the process of nuclear fusion releases energy.

Answer:

Release energy