Question

which equation demonstrates that nuclear fusion forms elements that are heavier than helium?
_{92}^{235}\text{u}+_{0}^{1}\text{n}\to _{42}^{95}\text{mo}+_{57}^{139}\text{la}+2_{0}^{1}\text{n}+7_{-1}^{0}\text{e}
_{8}^{16}\text{o}+_{2}^{4}\text{he}\to _{10}^{20}\text{ne}
_{92}^{235}\text{u}+_{0}^{1}\text{n}\to _{53}^{131}\text{i}+_{39}^{89}\text{y}+16_{0}^{1}\text{n}
_{1}^{2}\text{h}+_{1}^{3}\text{h}\to _{2}^{4}\text{he}+_{0}^{1}\text{n}

Explanation:

Step1: Understand nuclear fusion

Nuclear fusion is the process where two light - nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.

Step2: Analyze each equation

• For the equation \(\ce{^{235}_{92}U + ^{1}_{0}n

ightarrow^{95}_{42}Mo + ^{139}_{57}La + 2^{1}_{0}n+7^{0}_{- 1}e}\), it is a nuclear fission reaction (a heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei).

• For the equation \(\ce{^{16}_{8}O + ^{4}_{2}He

ightarrow^{20}_{10}Ne}\), oxygen (\(O\)) and helium (\(He\)) (both relatively light nuclei) combine to form neon (\(Ne\)) which is heavier than helium. This is a nuclear fusion reaction.

• For the equation \(\ce{^{235}_{92}U + ^{1}_{0}n

ightarrow^{131}_{53}I + ^{89}_{39}Y + 16^{1}_{0}n}\), it is a nuclear fission reaction.

• For the equation \(\ce{^{2}_{1}H + ^{3}_{1}H

ightarrow^{4}_{2}He + ^{1}_{0}n}\), it is a nuclear fusion reaction but the product (\(He\)) is not heavier than helium.

Answer:

\(\ce{^{16}_{8}O + ^{4}_{2}He
ightarrow^{20}_{10}Ne}\)