Consider the induced nuclear reaction 1H2 + 7N14 ----6C12 + 2He4. The atomic masses are 1H2 (2.014102 u), 7N14 (14.003074 u), 6C12 (12.000000 u), 2He4 (4.0026030 u). Determine the energy (in MeV) released when the 6C12 and 2He4 nuclei are formed in this manner.

Question

Consider the induced nuclear reaction 1H2 + 7N14 ---->6C12 + 2He4. The atomic masses are 1H2 (2.014102 u), 7N14 (14.003074 u), 6C12 (12.000000 u), 2He4 (4.0026030 u). Determine the energy (in MeV) released when the 6C12 and 2He4 nuclei are formed in this manner.

drwls · Answer

Reactant mass = 2.014102+14.003074 = 16.017176 amu

Product mass = 16.002603 amu

Mass loss = 0.014573 amu
= 2.419*10^-29 kg

Multiply by c^2, in m^2/s^2, for the energy release in Joules. Then convert that to MeV