Question

what are the products of a fusion reaction? check all that apply. lighter atoms energy heavier atoms a neutron a proton

Explanation:

In a fusion reaction, two or more light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier atomic nucleus. During this process, a large amount of energy is released. For example, in the fusion of hydrogen isotopes (like in the sun), the products include a heavier atom (e.g., helium from hydrogen fusion), energy, and sometimes particles like a neutron (in some specific fusion reactions, like deuterium - tritium fusion: $\ce{^2_1H + ^3_1H -> ^4_2He + ^1_0n + energy}$). Lighter atoms are the reactants (they combine), not products. A proton is not a typical general product of fusion reactions (though protons can be involved in the reactants). So the products are energy, heavier atoms, and sometimes a neutron (depending on the specific fusion, but among the given options, these are the correct ones).

Answer:

• energy
• heavier atoms
• a neutron