What happens to the mass and energy during a nuclear reaction?

During a nuclear reaction, mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation, E=mc².

Nuclear reactions involve the splitting or combining of atomic nuclei, which results in a release or absorption of energy. This energy is released in the form of radiation, such as gamma rays or particles, such as alpha or beta particles. The amount of energy released is proportional to the amount of mass that is converted, according to Einstein's equation.

In a nuclear fission reaction, a heavy nucleus is split into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy. This energy is harnessed in nuclear power plants to generate electricity. In a nuclear fusion reaction, two lighter nuclei are combined to form a heavier nucleus, releasing even more energy. This process is what powers the sun and other stars.

It is important to note that the total mass and energy of the system before and after the reaction are conserved. However, the mass and energy are distributed differently after the reaction, with some of the mass being converted into energy and some of the energy being released in the form of radiation or particles. This conversion of mass into energy is what makes nuclear reactions so powerful and potentially dangerous.