A chemical reaction can be described as the process by which one or more substances undergo a change to become one or more new substances. Where as a nuclear reaction is a reaction, as in fission or fusion or radioactive decay, that alters the energy composition or structure of the atomic nucleus. Here are some of the main diffences between the two subjects.
Six Differences between nuclear reactions and chemical reactions. Nuclear Reactions Chemical Reactions
1. Protons and neutrons react 1. Electrons react outside nucleus.
inside nucleus.
2. Elements transmute into other 2. The same number of each kind of
elements. atom appear in the reactants and products.
3. Isotopes react differently. 3. Isotopes react the same.
4. Independent of chemical 4. Depend on chemical combination.
combination.
5. Energy changes equal 10^8 kJ. 5. Energy changes equal
10 - 10^3 kJ/mol.
6. Mass changes are detectable. 6. Mass reactants = mass products.
Information provided by: http://vax1.bemidji.msus.edu/
Also, chemical reactions are very common and we often encounter them, whereas nuclear reactions are not so common. One can tell the difference between a chemical reaction and a nuclear reaction because in a chemical equation the LoCoM states that there are the same amount and same types of elements on each side. Where as in nuclear equations, there is not always the same element, but the atomic number and mass number are both equal on both sides.
