Radium-226 decays into radon-222 plus an alpha particle. How much energy is released in this process? 1 u = 931.494 MeV/c², and the relevant mass values are He: 4.002603 u
Rn: 222.017570 u
Ra: 226.025402 u

Question

Radium-226 decays into radon-222 plus an alpha particle. How much energy is released in this process? 1 u = 931.494 MeV/c², and the relevant mass values are

Radium-226 decays into radon-222 plus an alpha particle. How much energy is released in this process? 1 u = 931.494 MeV/c<sup>2</sup>, and the relevant mass values are He: 4.002603 u Rn: 222.017570 u Ra: 226.025402 u A) 4.24 MeV B) 3.76 MeV C) 4.87 MeV D) 5.05 MeV E) 5.39 MeV

He: 4.002603 u Radium-226 decays into radon-222 plus an alpha particle. How much energy is released in this process? 1 u = 931.494 MeV/c<sup>2</sup>, and the relevant mass values are He: 4.002603 u Rn: 222.017570 u Ra: 226.025402 u A) 4.24 MeV B) 3.76 MeV C) 4.87 MeV D) 5.05 MeV E) 5.39 MeV

Rn: 222.017570 u Radium-226 decays into radon-222 plus an alpha particle. How much energy is released in this process? 1 u = 931.494 MeV/c<sup>2</sup>, and the relevant mass values are He: 4.002603 u Rn: 222.017570 u Ra: 226.025402 u A) 4.24 MeV B) 3.76 MeV C) 4.87 MeV D) 5.05 MeV E) 5.39 MeV

Ra: 226.025402 u

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The energy released in the process can be calculated using the mass difference between the reactants and products, according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2.

The mass difference, Δm, can be calculated as:

Δm = (mass of Ra-226) - (mass of Rn-222 + mass of alpha particle)
Δm = (226.025402 u) - (222.017570 u + 4.002603 u)
Δm = 0.005229 u

Multiplying Δm by the conversion factor of 931.494 MeV/c^2 per u gives:

E = Δm x 931.494 MeV/c^2
E = 0.005229 u x 931.494 MeV/c^2/u
E = 4.87 MeV

Therefore, the correct answer is C, 4.87 MeV.

Radium-226 Decays into Radon-222 Plus an Alpha Particle