Afusion reaction takes place between carbon and another element. neutrons are released, and a different element is formed. the different element is
a) lighter than helium. b)heavier than helium. c)the same weight as helium. d)dependent on the element that reacted with carbon.

Answer is: B) heavier than helium.

Helium (He) is an element with mass number 4 and carbon (C) is an element with mass number 12. Carbon has three time bigger mass numer, so new element is heavier thah helium.

For example, nuclear reaction: ²⁴⁹Cf + ¹²C → ²⁵⁷Rf + 4n°.

Californium-249 has mass number 259, carbon-12 has mass number 12 and rutherfordium-257 has mass number 257.

Mass number (A) is the total number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus.  

Sum of mass numbers of californium-249 and carbon-12 is 261 (249 + 12), but four neutrons are produced, so new element has mass number 257 (261 - 4).

B

Explanation: