If image is not clear enough ill repeat the question ---------- 236 92 U undergo

Question

If image is not clear enough ill repeat the question

----------23692 U undergoes alpha decay. calculate the energy liberated in this decay--------

I need clear steps to solve the equation and any equations used in the process. Thanks! lifesaver coming!

please comment if image is not good enough.

Explanation / Answer

alpha decay is the loss of a He atom, so 236, 92 U --> 4, 2 He + 232, 90 Th The energy liberated follows E = mc^2 The catch here is that there is some mass defect converted to energy. the mass defect happens because the total mass of the products after the nuclear fission is not exactly the same as the starting mass. I'll demonstrate: The mass of a single Proton is 1.007276 u and the mass of a single Neutron is 1.008665 u, the mass of the He nucleus is 4.001509 u We lost 2 protons and 2 neutrons from the U, with a total mass of 4.031882 u, and the He atom resulting has a mass of 4.001509 u, so mass wasn't conserved. We find the difference, 4.031882 u - 4.001509 u = 0.030373 u, and that becomes our m in E = mc^2, however we'll have to convert it to kg, or we can use a simple conversion that comes in handy that 1 u of mass defect = 931.494 MeV which leads us to the final answer that the total energy liberated is 28.3 MeV

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse I
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.