Question

select the correct answer. which statement about nuclear fusion is correct? a. two hydrogen electrons became protons during fusion. b. helium nuclei can fuse to form elements such as nitrogen. c. the fusion reaction lasts for several hundred years. d. large nuclei break apart to form smaller nuclei.

Explanation:

• Option A: Electrons do not become protons in nuclear fusion.
• Option B: Helium nuclei can fuse to form heavier - elements like nitrogen in stellar nucleosynthesis.
• Option C: Fusion reactions in stars can last a long time, but not several hundred years for a single reaction in most cases. In the Sun, the proton - proton chain reaction has been ongoing for billions of years, but individual reactions are much faster.
• Option D: Large nuclei breaking apart is nuclear fission, not fusion.

Answer:

B. Helium nuclei can fuse to form elements such as nitrogen.