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bmarson123
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Homework Statement
224Ra --> 220Rn + [itex]\alpha[/itex]
224Ra --> 212Pb + 12C
224Ra --> 210Pb + 14C
Calculate the Q-Values (in MeV) for these decays given their atomic mass excesses (in MeV) are
88225Ra = 18.818 86220Rn = 10.604
82212Pb = -7.557 [itex]\alpha[/itex] = 2.425
82210Pb = -14.743 614C = 3.020
For these 3 decays estimate the distance from the centre of the nucleus at which the Coulomb Barrier is equal to the calculated Q value (assuming e2/4[itex]\pi[/itex][itex]\epsilon[/itex]=1.44MeV.fm)
Homework Equations
Q = (Mintial-Mresultants)
VC = Z1Z2e2/ 4[itex]\pi[/itex][itex]\epsilon[/itex]r
The Attempt at a Solution
For values of Q
224Ra --> 220Rn + [itex]\alpha[/itex]
Q = 18.818-10.604-2.425 = 5.8MeV
224Ra --> 212Pb + 12C
Q = 18.818+7.557-0 = 26.4MeV
224Ra --> 210Pb + 14C
Q = 18.818+14.743-3.020 = 30.5MeV
And for the second part:
VC = Z1Z2e2/ 4[itex]\pi[/itex][itex]\epsilon[/itex]r
224Ra --> 220Rn + [itex]\alpha[/itex]
5.8 = (88 x 82 x 1.44) /r
r = 1791.5 fm
I thought that this seemed quite a large value. Also, for the second 2 reactions I wasn't sure if this was the correct equation to be using because I thought it was specificaly just for alpha decay, and I didn't think the last 2 reactions were alpha.
Any pointers would be fantastic!