Which energy is stored in the nucleus of radioactive atoms?

Which energy is stored in the nucleus of radioactive atoms?

• A. Thermal Energy
• B. Chemical Energy
• C. Nuclear Energy
• D. Electrical Energy

Answer: (C)

The energy stored in the nucleus is nuclear energy. This comes from the binding forces that hold protons and neutrons together inside the nucleus. In radioactive atoms, the nucleus is in an unstable arrangement, so it can decay or split and release energy as radiation or as kinetic energy of the fragments. Mass and energy are related by E = mc^2, so some mass is converted into energy during these processes. This differs from thermal energy (related to temperature and particle motion), chemical energy (stored in bonds between atoms involving electrons), and electrical energy (from electric charges and fields). So the energy stored in the nucleus is nuclear energy.

The energy stored in the nucleus is nuclear energy. This comes from the binding forces that hold protons and neutrons together inside the nucleus. In radioactive atoms, the nucleus is in an unstable arrangement, so it can decay or split and release energy as radiation or as kinetic energy of the fragments. Mass and energy are related by E = mc^2, so some mass is converted into energy during these processes. This differs from thermal energy (related to temperature and particle motion), chemical energy (stored in bonds between atoms involving electrons), and electrical energy (from electric charges and fields). So the energy stored in the nucleus is nuclear energy.