Question

how can you tell from looking at a nuclear reaction that fission has taken place? (1 point)
the total number of protons will be the same on the left and right sides of the equation.
the right side of the equation will contain two or more nuclei that are smaller than one on the left side.
the total number of protons and neutrons be greater on the right side of the equation than on the left side.
the left side of the equation will contain two or more nuclei that are smaller than one on the right side.

Explanation:

Nuclear fission is a process where a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei. In a nuclear reaction equation representing fission, the left - hand side has a single large nucleus, and the right - hand side has two or more smaller nuclei.

• For the first option: While the total number of protons (and other nucleons) is conserved in a nuclear reaction (due to conservation laws), this is a general property of nuclear reactions (not specific to fission).
• For the second option: In fission, one large nucleus (on the left - hand side of the equation) splits into two or more smaller nuclei (on the right - hand side). This is a key characteristic of fission.
• For the third option: According to the law of conservation of nucleons (protons + neutrons), the total number of protons and neutrons is conserved in a nuclear reaction. So, the total number of protons and neutrons on the right - hand side cannot be greater than on the left - hand side.
• For the fourth option: In fission, the left - hand side has a single large nucleus, not two or more smaller nuclei.

Answer:

The right side of the equation will contain two or more nuclei that are smaller than one on the left side.