Question

What is the energy released in this B- nuclear reaction 2K-> 2Ca0,e? (The atomic mass of 42 K is 41.962403 u and that of 42Ca is 41.958618 u)

Answer 1

Answer: The energy released in the given nuclear reaction is 3.526 MeV.

Explanation:

For the given nuclear reaction:

$_{19}^{42}\textrm{K}\rightarrow _{20}^{42}\textrm{Ca}+_{-1}^{0}\textrm{e}$

We are given:

Mass of $_{19}^{42}\textrm{K}$ = 41.962403 u

Mass of $_{20}^{42}\textrm{Ca}$ = 41.958618 u

To calculate the mass defect, we use the equation:

$\Delta m=\text{Mass of reactants}-\text{Mass of products}$

Putting values in above equation, we get:

$\Delta m=(41.962403-41.958618)=0.003785u$

To calculate the energy released, we use the equation:

$E=\Delta mc^2\\E=(0.003785u)\times c^2$

$E=(0.003785u)\times (931.5MeV)$ (Conversion factor: $1u=931.5MeV/c^2$ )

$E=3.526MeV$

Hence, the energy released in the given nuclear reaction is 3.526 MeV.