The Q-value of a nuclear reaction is a measure of the kinetic energy that the reaction products carry away as a result of the mass that is converted into energy by the nuclear transformation prescribed by the reaction. For example, in Section 11.7, the fusion of two deuterium nuclei produces a He-3 nucleus and a free neutron and yields 3.3 MeV of kinetic energy in the process. The Q-value for this reaction is thus 3.3 MeV, which is equal to the energy equivalent of the difference between the mass of the reactants (the two deuterium nuclei) and the mass of the products (the ³He and the neutron). Using the data given in Section 11.5 and Einstein’s equation, verify the Q-value for this reaction. The mass of a helium-3 nucleus is 3.01603 u. Repeat this calculation for the third reaction in the sequence involving the conversion of a deuterium nucleus and a helium-3 nucleus into a helium-4 nucleus and a free proton:

The mass of ⁴He is 4.00260 u.

Transcribed Image Text:

H + He → He + p + 18.3 MeV