Uranium-238 decays into thorium-234 plus an alpha particle. The known masses are $^{4}_{2}$ He: 4.002603 u $^{224}_{90}$ Th: 234.043583 u $^{238}_{90}$ U: 238.050786 u How much energy is released in this process?
(1 u = 931.5 MeV/c²)

Question

Uranium-238 decays into thorium-234 plus an alpha particle. The known masses are

^{4}_{2}

He: 4.002603 u

^{224}_{90}

Th: 234.043583 u

^{238}_{90}

U: 238.050786 u How much energy is released in this process?
(1 u = 931.5 MeV/c²)

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mass difference between the reactants and products is:$238.050786 u - (234.043583 u + 4.002603 u) = 0.004600 u$The energy released is:$0.004600 u * 931.5 MeV/c^2 = 4.28 MeV$

Uranium-238 Decays into Thorium-234 Plus an Alpha Particle 24^{4}_{2}24​ He: 4002603 U

Uranium-238 Decays into Thorium-234 Plus an Alpha Particle $^{4}_{2}$ He: 4002603 U