Question

In an atomic explosion, enormous energy is released which is due to the ___________________.

• A. conversion of neutrons into protons
• B. conversion of chemical energy into heat energy
• C. conversion of chemical energy into nuclear energy
• D. conversion of mass into energy

Answer 1

The correct option is D conversion of mass into energy

In an atomic explosion, enormous energy is released which is due to the conversion of mass into energy.

Since most of the mass of ordinary objects resides in protons and neutrons, converting all the energy of ordinary matter into more useful energy requires that the protons and neutrons be converted to lighter particles, or particles with no rest-mass at all. Based on Einstein's equation E = mc^2, the amount of energy added is relative to the mass gained by the proton multiplied by the speed of light squared. In other words, a lot of energy is converted into a relatively small amount of mass.