10 Critical Difference between Nuclear Reaction and Chemical Reaction

June 2023 ยท 3 minute read

What is the difference between nuclear reaction and chemical reaction?

Students pursuing a chemistry course tend to learn different types of reactions where the nuclear and chemical reaction is no exemption.

The core difference between nuclear reaction and chemical reaction pdf is that nuclear reaction occurs inside the nucleus while chemical reaction occurs outside the nucleus.

difference between nuclear reaction and chemical reaction

What Is Nuclear Reaction?

Nuclear reaction refers to a reaction where the nucleus of an atom collides with subatomic particles such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.

The reaction of these nuclides results in a different atom at the end of the reaction. The nuclear reaction causes heavy atoms to split into smaller atoms and even heavier form.

The formation of nuclear weapons and nuclear fission involves the use of nuclear reactions. This reaction occurs mostly in unstable and radioactive elements.

What Is Chemical Reaction?

Chemical reaction refers to the reaction that entails outermost electrons in an atom. The reaction results in the formation of a bond between the elements.

The atoms reacting are known as reactants and the result is known as the products. The type of bond occurring can either be an ionic or covalent bond.

The chemical reaction can move in a forward or backward direction until the equilibrium state is attained.

Some reactions can be spontaneous which implies that they do not require heat energy whereas others are non-spontaneous.

Comparison Chart: Nuclear Reaction Vs Chemical Reaction

Basic TermsNuclear ReactionChemical Reaction
MeaningIt is the type of reaction that occurs in the nuclei of an atomIt is a type of reaction that involve the outer shell electrons in an atom
Elemental CompositionTend to change due to the formation of new nuclidesTend to remain the same but the bonding change
Energy TransformationMassive amount of energy is releasedReactants need sufficient amount of energy for the reaction to happen
OccurrenceHighly unstable and radioactive atomsThe base of life and occurs at a given time
Rate of ReactionSpontaneousNon-spontaneous
ReactantsAtoms, ions, molecules, and compoundsProtons and neutrons
NatureDecomposition of nucleusInvolve transfer, loss, gain, and sharing of electrons
Reversible or IrreversibleTend to be irreversibleCan either be reversible or irreversible
Bond FormationNothing like that happensFormation of new bonds after breaking the old bonds
DeterminantsIndependent reactionInfluence by pressure and temperature

Core Difference Between Nuclear Reaction and Chemical Reaction

  • A nuclear reaction is a type of reaction that occurs in the nuclei of an atom whereas chemical reaction is a reaction that entails outer shell electrons of an atom.
  • The elemental composition of atoms involved in nuclear reaction tend to change while that of chemical reaction remains the same
  • Nuclear reaction result in massive energy release while chemical reaction reactants need sufficient energy to take place
  • The nuclear reaction occurs in highly unstable and radioactive atoms while chemical reaction can occur at any time in life
  • The rate of reaction in a nuclear reaction is spontaneous while in the chemical reaction is non-spontaneous
  • A chemical reaction is either reversible or irreversible while the nuclear reaction is irreversible
  • Chemical reaction entails the breaking of old bonds and result in the formation of new bonds while nothing like that happens in a nuclear reaction
  • The chemical reaction is influenced by pressure and temperature while the nuclear reaction is independent
  • The reactants of a chemical reaction are atoms, ions, molecules, and compounds while nuclear reaction are protons and neutrons
  • A chemical reaction involves the transfer, loss, gain, and sharing of electrons while nuclear reaction involves decomposition of the nucleus.

    • Read More: Difference between Entropy and Enthalpy

    Comparison Video

    Summary

    The core similarities between nuclear reaction and chemical reaction are that both occur in an atom but the region of occurrence is what marks the difference. The ordinary chemical reaction is quite different from various types of nuclear reactions.

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