A student listed the characteristics of chemical and nuclear reactions. Chemical and Nuclear Reactions
C D
A change in atomic number of elements takes place The atomic number of elements remains the same

Which of these statements best explains the identity of Reaction D?
It is a nuclear reaction because the atomic number remains the same when the number of valence electrons changes.
It is a nuclear reaction because the atomic number remains the same when the particles are emitted from the nucleus.
It is a chemical reaction because the atomic number remains the same when the number of neutrons and protons changes.
It is a chemical reaction because the atomic number remains the same for all elements while a rearrangement of atoms through bonding occurs.