Which statement describes why energy is released in a nuclear fusion reaction based on mass-energy equivalence? for large nuclei, the mass of the original nucleus is greater than the mass of the products. for large nuclei, the mass of the original nucleus is less than the mass of the products. for small nuclei, the binding energy of the lighter nuclei is greater than the binding energy of the heavier nucleus. for small nuclei, the binding energy of the lighter nuclei is less than the binding energy of the heavier nucleus.

Option (c) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

When two or more small nuclei combine together to form a larger nuclei then this process is known as nuclear reaction.

The smaller is an atom, the more energy it requires to release an electron. This energy is known as binding energy.

Thus, when two small nuclei fuse together then there will be more binding energy as compared to when two large nuclei fuse together.

For example, fusion of two hydrogen atoms release more energy then one helium atom, and upon binding excess energy is released into the space.

Hence, we can conclude that energy is released in a nuclear fusion reaction based on mass-energy equivalence because for small nuclei, the binding energy of the lighter nuclei is greater than the binding energy of the heavier nucleus.

Option (c) is correct . For small nuclei, the binding energy of the lighter nuclei is greater than the binding energy of the heavier nucleus.

The process by which two or more tiny nuclei unite to generate a bigger nucleus is known as a nuclear fusion reaction.

The more energy it takes to liberate an electron from a smaller atom. This is referred to as binding energy.

As a result, when two little nuclei fuse together, there is more binding energy than when two big nuclei fuse together.

For example, the fusion of two hydrogen atoms produces more energy than the fusion of one helium atom, and surplus energy is expelled into space upon binding.

As a result of mass-energy equivalence, we may deduce that energy is liberated in a nuclear fusion reaction.

Hence for small nuclei, the binding energy of the lighter nuclei is greater than the binding energy of the heavier nucleus.

To learn more about nuclear fusion refer to the link;

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