List three of the five ways in which a nuclear reaction differs from a chemical reaction.

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1. Nuclear reactions involve changes in an atom's nucleus, usually resulting in the transformation of one element into another, whereas chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of electrons and do not change the nuclei of atoms.
2. Nuclear reactions can release or absorb much larger amounts of energy compared to chemical reactions. This is because nuclear reactions involve the strong nuclear force, which is much stronger than the electromagnetic forces involved in chemical reactions.
3. The rate of a nuclear reaction is generally not affected by temperature, pressure, or catalysts, unlike chemical reactions, which can be influenced by these factors.

Key Concepts

Energy Changes

Nuclear reactions involve changes in the nucleus of an atom, resulting in significant energy release, often millions of times greater than that of chemical reactions. In contrast, chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of electrons and typically release or absorb much smaller amounts of energy, measured in kilojoules.

Reactants and Products

In nuclear reactions, the reactants and products can include different elements due to the transformation of one element into another through processes like fission or fusion. Chemical reactions, however, involve the same elements rearranging to form new compounds without changing the elemental identities.

Rate of Reaction

Nuclear reactions occur at rates that are largely independent of temperature and pressure, often taking place over a wide range of conditions. In contrast, chemical reactions are significantly influenced by these factors, with reaction rates typically increasing with higher temperatures and concentrations.