Answer the following questions according to the instructions given:
(a) When 6Li3 is bombarded with a neutron, it produces 4He2 and an isotope of hydrogen. Write the notation for the hydrogen isotope formed.
(b) Fill in the blank:
The mass of the reactants in a fission reaction is ............... (greater / less) than the mass of the products.
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(a) The nuclear reaction is
6Li3 + 1n0 ⟶ 4He2 + 3H1
Balancing the mass numbers, 6 + 1 = 4 + 3, and balancing the atomic numbers, 3 + 0 = 2 + 1.
Hence, the hydrogen isotope formed is 3H1 (tritium).
(b) The mass of the reactants in a fission reaction is greater than the mass of the products.
Reason — In a fission reaction a small part of the mass of the reactants disappears. This loss of mass (mass defect) is converted into a large amount of energy in accordance with E = mc2, so the total mass of the products is less than the total mass of the reactants.