Question

Large energy released in atomic bomb explosion is mainly due to:
(A)- conversion of heavier to lighter atoms
(B)- products having less mass than initial substance
(C)- release of neutrons
(D)- release of electrons

Answer 1

Hint: Atomic bomb explosion is based on the principle of nuclear fission. In nuclear fission, atoms split apart releasing large amounts of energy. During nuclear fission, a heavy neutron collides with a uranium atom splitting into two or more lighter elements.

Complete answer:
-Atoms are the tiny particles made up of protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons carry a positive charge, electrons carry a negative charge and neutrons do not have an electrical charge. Large amount of energy is present in the bonds that hold the nucleus together. The nucleus energy can be released when these bonds are subjected to breaking through nuclear fission. This energy released is often used to generate electricity.
-Nuclear fission is a radioactive decay in which the nucleus of a heavy atom splits into two or more smaller and lighter elements.
-Fission is a form of nuclear transmutation (which is the conversion of one chemical element or an isotope into another chemical element), because the resulting fragments are not the same element as that of the original atom.
-Splitting of atomic nuclei generating a neutron which again initiates a nuclear fission leads to a series of nuclear fissions known as Nuclear chain reactions.
-The mass difference generated through a nuclear fission is converted to energy which is given by
     $$E=(\mathrm{\Delta }m)\times c^2$$
where $\mathrm{\Delta }m$ is the mass difference
              c is the speed of light (in S.I units)
              E is the energy produced
So the reason for the release of a large amount of energy in an atomic explosion is mainly due to products having less mass than initial substance.
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note: Don’t get confused between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Although both nuclear fission and fusion are nuclear processes, by which atoms are altered to create energy, but in the nuclear fission, one atom splits into two while in nuclear fusion two lighter atoms combine to form a larger atom.