4 kilotons of TNT. This is equivalent to 9.0 × 10²⁶ MeV. The mass that was converted into energy in this explosion was A) 1.6 kg. B) 1.6 × 10^-3 kg. C) 1.4 × 10¹⁴ kg. D) 1.1 × 10¹⁰ kg. E) 120 kg.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2, we can calculate the mass that was converted into energy:
First, convert the energy from MeV to joules:
9.0 × 10^16 MeV = 1.44 × 10^34 J
Next, plug in the energy and the speed of light into the equation:
E = mc^2
1.44 × 10^34 J = m(3 × 10^8 m/s)^2
1.44 × 10^34 J = 9 × 10^16 kg (m/s)^2
m = 1.6 × 10^-3 kg or 1.6 × 10^3 g, which is equivalent to choice B.

4 Kilotons of TNT