Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 26 - The Special Theory of Relativity - Problems - Page 768: 44

Answer

237.0483u.

Work Step by Step

Energy is conserved. The rest energy of the starting americium nucleus is equal to the rest energies of the 2 neptunium nucleus and the alpha particle, plus the kinetic energy of the alpha particle. We neglect the KE of the neptunium nucleus. $$m_{Am}c^2=m_{Np}c^2+m_{\alpha}c^2+KE_{\alpha}$$ $$ m_{Np}= m_{Am}-m_{\alpha}-\frac{KE_{\alpha}}{c^2}$$ $$=241.05682u-4.00260u-\frac{5.5MeV}{c^2}(\frac{1u}{931.49MeV/c^2})=237.0483u$$
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