Purchase Solution

Calculating Nuclear Decay

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

I'm completely stuck on this problem:

i) Determine the energy required to remove a proton from a 12C nucleus (in MeV) - For this one, I know that this is not alpha, beta, or gamma decay, so I don't know how I'm supposed to do it.

And this one,

ii) 2H and 3H nuclei undergo the following fission reaction:
2H + 3H --> 4He + 1/0n

a) Calculate the amount of energy released in this reaction (which I calculated to be 17.5895 MeV).

b) Determine the kinetic energy of the alpha particle if the 2H and 3H reacting nuclei are initially stationary. - For this one, I don't know how to convert this to velocity...

iii) Determine the energy released in the alpha-decay of a 14N nucleus (in MeV) - (which I calculated to be 11.613 MeV) - and state whether or not 14N actually alpha decays. - So for this one, I don't know how to tell whether or not it will actually decay...do I look at the rest mass energy?

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

This Solution contains calculations to aid you in understanding the Solution to these questions.

Solution Preview

Please see the attached file.

i) Determine the energy required to remove a proton from a 12C nucleus (in MeV) - For this one, I know that this is not alpha, beta, or gamma decay, so I don't know how I'm supposed to do it.

6C12  5N11 + 1p1

Mass of one nucleus of C-12 = 12.0000 amu
Mass of one proton = 1.0073 amu
Mass of one N-11 nucleus = 11.027139 amu
Loss in mass = 11.027139 + 1.0073 - 12.0000 = 0.034439 amu
But 1 ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Classical Mechanics

This quiz is designed to test and improve your knowledge on Classical Mechanics.

Introduction to Nanotechnology/Nanomaterials

This quiz is for any area of science. Test yourself to see what knowledge of nanotechnology you have. This content will also make you familiar with basic concepts of nanotechnology.

The Moon

Test your knowledge of moon phases and movement.

Intro to the Physics Waves

Some short-answer questions involving the basic vocabulary of string, sound, and water waves.

Variables in Science Experiments

How well do you understand variables? Test your knowledge of independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), and controlled variables with this 10 question quiz.