Two isotopes of hydrogen fuse to form helium. The mass of the helium is 3.12 x 10(negative 10th power) kg less than the combined mass of the two hydrogen atoms. How much energy was produced in this reaction? The speed of light is 3 x 10 (8th power) m/s. What???
2007-05-25 04:40:33 · 6 answers · asked by DawnLynn 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I have rechecked my figures and I'm still showing what I typed before. Perhaps there is a typo on my paper, but I am still seeing the same numbers. 3.12x10^-10 kg less than the combined mass of the two hydrogen atoms.
2007-05-25 05:55:20 · update #1
Thanks for all the help. I believe I understand it better now. I had a hard time with this one because I didn't understand. It isn't always easy, so to just say "they give you this and this, so just do the math" isn't helpful. I do not expect someone to just "give me the answers," but I really appreciate explanations as they are very helpful. Thanks again everyone!
2007-05-26 02:13:31 · update #2
Assuming that the numbers you gave is correct. Then the energy released is given by Einstein's famous equation E = mc^2
Hence, energy released for each He nucleus produced is
= (3.12 * 10^-10) * (3 * 10 ^ 8)^2
= 28 080 000 J
which is rather ridiculous. The number is far too big. I think you get your figures wrong.
The data that I got is
He - 3 = 3.01603 u
H -1 = 1.00797 u
H - 2 = 2.0140 u
Loss in mass = 0.00594 u = 9.8636 * 10^-30 kg
Energy released = 8.87 * 10^-13 J
Now this is more reasonable.
Only Alexender is receptive enough to realise that the numbers are way off. Haha.
2007-05-25 05:17:49 · answer #1 · answered by Daniel T 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
E = m.c^2 is the equation to be used.
E = 3.12 X 10^-10 X 3^2 X 10^16 = 3.12 X 9 X 10^6 units
= 28.08 X 10^6 Joules
2007-05-25 04:47:43 · answer #2 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The energy released by the reacion is given by:
E = mc^2
They give you the mass defect (m) and the speed of light (c). Do the math.
2007-05-25 04:45:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
2.13 x 10^(-10) kg is way off.
It's mass of small droplet of water about
0.05 mm in diameter.
2007-05-25 05:07:03 · answer #4 · answered by Alexander 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Change in Energy = (change in mass) * c^2
2007-05-25 04:55:32 · answer #5 · answered by Hooligan 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'll go with "what???"...but off the top of my head i'd have to say...73 watt?
2007-05-25 04:45:15 · answer #6 · answered by fred[because i can] 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋