Calculating Energy of He-4 Formation from 2p + 2n

In summary, the energy of He-4 formation from 2p + 2n is calculated using the mass-energy equivalence equation, and is affected by factors such as initial mass, nuclear forces, and external conditions. It is relatively low compared to other nuclear reactions, but can still be accurately calculated.
  • #1
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Homework Statement



How much energy, in joules, is released when one mole of helium-4 nuclei is formed from its individual protons and neutrons?

Homework Equations



2p + 2n ----> He-4 (p is proton n is neutron)

The Attempt at a Solution



Book sucks at explaining so I am not quite sure where to start. Calculate energy for each nucleon maybe?
 
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  • #2
You will need exact masses of protons, neutrons and product.
 
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1. How is the energy of He-4 formation from 2p + 2n calculated?

The energy of He-4 formation from 2p + 2n is calculated using the mass-energy equivalence equation, E = mc², where E is the energy, m is the mass, and c is the speed of light. This equation takes into account the mass of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus of He-4 and the energy released when they combine to form a stable nucleus.

2. What is the difference between binding energy and nuclear energy?

Binding energy refers to the energy that is required to hold together the particles in a nucleus, while nuclear energy refers to the energy that is released when the nucleus undergoes a change, such as fission or fusion. In the case of He-4 formation from 2p + 2n, the binding energy is the energy that is required to hold the protons and neutrons together to form a stable nucleus, and the nuclear energy is the energy released during the formation process.

3. How does the energy of He-4 formation from 2p + 2n compare to other nuclear reactions?

The energy of He-4 formation from 2p + 2n is relatively low compared to other nuclear reactions, such as fission or fusion. This is because the binding energy of He-4 is relatively low, meaning that less energy is released during the formation process. However, the energy released is still significant and can be harnessed for various applications.

4. Can the energy of He-4 formation from 2p + 2n be calculated accurately?

Yes, the energy of He-4 formation from 2p + 2n can be calculated accurately using the mass-energy equivalence equation and other nuclear physics principles. However, there may be some uncertainties in the calculations due to the complex nature of nuclear interactions and the limitations of our current understanding of nuclear physics.

5. What factors can affect the energy of He-4 formation from 2p + 2n?

The energy of He-4 formation from 2p + 2n can be affected by various factors, such as the initial mass of the particles, the nuclear forces involved in the formation process, and the energy released during the process. Additionally, external factors such as temperature and pressure can also impact the energy of formation. These factors can all be taken into account in the calculations to accurately determine the energy of He-4 formation from 2p + 2n.

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