a. Are the equations of nuclear reactions such as `""_(7)^(14)N + ""_(2)^(4)He to ""_(8)^(16)O + ""_1^2H` 'balanced' in the sense a chemical equation `2H_2 + O_2 to 2H_2O` is ? If not, in what sense are they balanced on both sides?
b. If the number of protons and number of neutrons are conserved in a nuclear reaction, in what way the mass is converted into energy (or vice versa) in a nuclear reaction?
c. A general impression exists that mass energy inter-conversion takes place only in nuclear reaction and never in chemical reaction. Strictly speaking, this is incorrect Explain.

Explanation

a. The total number of atoms remains the same in a chemical reaction. The number of atomsof each element is not necessarily conserved in a nuclear reaction.
b. The binding energy (tota) of the elements before the nuclear reaction need not be equal to the total binding energy after the reaction.
c. There is mass defect in chemical reaction but it is almost a million times smaller compared with nuclear reaction.