In the reaction ⁴He + ⁹Be → n + ¹²C, how much energy is released or absorbed? The masses of the neutral atoms are as follows: the mas of ⁴He is 4.0026033 u, the mass of ⁹Be is 9.0121831 u, the mass of n is 1.0086649 u, and the mass of ¹²C is 12.0000000 u.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The energy released in a nuclear reaction can be calculated using the mass defect, which is the difference between the mass of the reactants and the mass of the products. The mass of the reactants (He + Be) is 4.0026033 u + 9.0121831 u = 13.0147864 u. The mass of the products (n + C) is 1.0086649 u + 12.0000000 u = 13.0086649 u. The mass defect is 13.0147864 u - 13.0086649 u = 0.0061215 u. Converting this mass defect to energy using Einstein's equation (E=mc^2) and the conversion factor (1 u = 931.5 MeV/c^2), the energy released is 0.0061215 u * 931.5 MeV/u = 5.70 MeV.

In the Reaction 4He + 9Be → N + 12C

In the Reaction ⁴He + ⁹Be → N + ¹²C