What type of reaction is represented by the equation $^{2}_{1}X+^{2}_{1}X\rightarrow^{3}_{2}Y+^{1}_{0}n+Energy$

Step 1: Analyze the question We need to identify the type of nuclear reaction from the equation:

²₁X + ²₁X → ³₂Y + ¹₀n + Energy

Step 2: Check the equation

• Mass numbers: 2 + 2 = 4 on the left, and 3 + 1 = 4 on the right ✔
• Atomic numbers: 1 + 1 = 2 on the left, and 2 + 0 = 2 on the right ✔

The equation is balanced. Here X is deuterium (hydrogen-2), Y is helium-3, and n is a neutron.

Step 3: The concept

• Nuclear fusion is when two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy. This is what powers the Sun.
• Nuclear fission is when a heavy nucleus (such as uranium-235) splits into smaller nuclei after absorbing a neutron.
• Chain reaction is a fission process in which the neutrons released go on to split more nuclei.
• Ionization is the removal of electrons from an atom, and it does not change the nucleus.

Step 4: Apply it Two light deuterium nuclei (²₁H) join to form a heavier helium-3 nucleus (³₂He), and a neutron and energy are released. This is fusion.

Answer: B. Fusion

Exam tip: Look at the left side of the equation. If two small nuclei combine into a bigger one, it is fusion ("fuse" means join). If one big nucleus splits into smaller ones, it is fission ("fiss" sounds like split).