Question

which statement about the balanced equations for nuclear and chemical changes is correct? (1 point) a nuclear equation is balanced according to mass number. a chemical equation is balanced according to the number of atoms before and after the change. a chemical equation is balanced according to mass number. a nuclear equation is balanced according to the number of atoms before and after the change. both are balanced according to the total mass before and after the change. both are balanced according to the number of atoms of each element before and after the change.

Explanation:

In nuclear equations, mass - number conservation is key as nuclear reactions involve changes in the nucleus. In chemical equations, atoms are conserved as chemical reactions involve only the rearrangement of electrons around the nucleus, not changes to the nucleus itself.

Answer:

A. A nuclear equation is balanced according to mass number. A chemical equation is balanced according to the number of atoms before and after the change.