What Is A Nuclear Reaction?

In nuclear physics, a nuclear reaction is defined as 'A process in which two nuclei or nuclear particles collide, to produce different products than the initial products'. In principle, a reaction may involve the collision of more than two particles, though it's very rare. After colliding, if the particles separate without changing then it's said to be an elastic collision rather than reaction. Like a chemical equation, nuclear reaction can be represented by equations. Each particle participating in the reaction is written with its chemical symbol, then the atomic number subscripted and then atomic superscripted. The neutron and electron are given symbols 'n' and 'e' since they are not chemical elements. The sum of atomic numbers on each side of the equations have to be equal so that the equation is balanced.

A Nuclear Reaction is basically a process by which two nuclear particles or nuclei undergo a collision in order to produce some products that are different from the initial particles.

It is a very important concept of nuclear physics. The transformation is spontaneous as far as radioactive decay is concerned. Such reactions are completely independent from the chemical reactions. Nuclear reactions have four types which are:
- Fission
- Fusion
- Neutron Capture
- Decay modes