If in a nuclear fusion process the masses of the fusing nuclei be `m_(1)` and `m_(2)` and the mass of the resuktant nucleus be `m_(3)`, then

Options

A. `m_(3) = m_(1) + m_(2)`
B. `m_(3) = |m_(1)+ m_(2)|`
C. `m_(3) lt (m_(1) + m_(2))`
D. `m_(3) gt (m_(1) + m_(2))`

Answer

C

Explanation

When two light nuclei of different masses are combined to form a stable nucleus, then some mass is lost, called mass defect. `m_(3) lt (m_(1) + m_(2))`