coregis
Oct16-04, 11:17 PM
I think I am doing this correctly, but getting a strange result. Here's the original problem dealing with decay modes:
The isobars 37Ar and 37Cl have binding energies/nucleon of 8.279 Mev and 8.336 Mev, respectively. Show which nuclide decay to the other spontaneously and by what decay mode. (p=1.007277 u, n=1.008665u, 1u=931.5 Mev). Neglect contribution of electrons
Now, keep in mind that in reality, there is EC decay from 37Ar->37Cl.
First thing I did was to calculate Q for the reaction, which meant calculating the masses. I am neglecting electrons like the problem says and I think this is what is putting me off.
37Cl Mass=17*1.007277+20*1.008665=37.297009u
37Ar Mass=18*1.007277+19*1.008665=37.295621u
Oh no!! Q must be positive, so now I have 37Cl->37Ar by beta decay...
Q=37Cl M - 37Ar M = .001988u * 931.5MeV/u=1.292922MeV
So did I do this wrong or does my professor want me to give him the fantasy world mode of decay? Am I supposed to use the energy/nucleon somehow? Help, I need all the points I can get. Thanks.
The isobars 37Ar and 37Cl have binding energies/nucleon of 8.279 Mev and 8.336 Mev, respectively. Show which nuclide decay to the other spontaneously and by what decay mode. (p=1.007277 u, n=1.008665u, 1u=931.5 Mev). Neglect contribution of electrons
Now, keep in mind that in reality, there is EC decay from 37Ar->37Cl.
First thing I did was to calculate Q for the reaction, which meant calculating the masses. I am neglecting electrons like the problem says and I think this is what is putting me off.
37Cl Mass=17*1.007277+20*1.008665=37.297009u
37Ar Mass=18*1.007277+19*1.008665=37.295621u
Oh no!! Q must be positive, so now I have 37Cl->37Ar by beta decay...
Q=37Cl M - 37Ar M = .001988u * 931.5MeV/u=1.292922MeV
So did I do this wrong or does my professor want me to give him the fantasy world mode of decay? Am I supposed to use the energy/nucleon somehow? Help, I need all the points I can get. Thanks.