Nuclear reactions and chemical reactions are two very different processes. They both involve energy changes, but they work in unique ways. Let’s break it down simply.

1. What They Are:

   • Chemical Reactions: These reactions happen when atoms rearrange their electrons. This mainly affects the outer part of the atoms. When bonds form or break, new substances are created.
   • Nuclear Reactions: These reactions happen inside the nucleus of the atom. They involve protons and neutrons. This can change the structure of the atom, leading to things like nuclear fission (splitting) or fusion (joining).

2. Energy Changes:

   • Chemical Energy: The energy changes in chemical reactions are usually small. We measure this in kilojoules (kJ).
   • Nuclear Energy: In nuclear reactions, the energy changes are enormous. They can be measured in millions of electron volts (MeV).

3. Particles Involved:

   • Chemical Reactions: These mostly involve electrons.
   • Nuclear Reactions: These can release or absorb protons and neutrons. Sometimes, they even involve gamma radiation, which is a type of energy.

4. Stability:

   • Radioactive Decay: In nuclear reactions, some nuclei are unstable. They can decay over time, letting out radiation and changing into more stable forms. This process can take anywhere from a tiny fraction of a second to thousands of years.

In short, both chemical and nuclear reactions involve changes and energy moves, but the way they work and the particles involved are quite different.