What is the relationship between energy and mass in nuclear reactions?

In nuclear reactions, energy and mass are equivalent according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc².

When a nuclear reaction occurs, the total mass of the reactants is not conserved. Instead, some of the mass is converted into energy in the form of gamma rays, kinetic energy of particles, and other forms. This is due to the fact that the binding energy of the nucleus is released during the reaction, and this energy is equivalent to the mass that is lost.

The relationship between energy and mass in nuclear reactions is described by Einstein's equation, which states that the energy (E) of a particle is equal to its mass (m) times the speed of light (c) squared. This means that a small amount of mass can be converted into a large amount of energy, and vice versa.

The conversion of mass into energy is the basis for nuclear power and nuclear weapons. In nuclear power plants, the energy released by nuclear reactions is used to generate electricity. In nuclear weapons, the energy released by nuclear reactions is used to create a powerful explosion.

Overall, the relationship between energy and mass in nuclear reactions is a fundamental concept in physics that has important practical applications.