Available energy in β+ and β- nuclear reaction

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating available energy (Ed) in β+ and β- nuclear reactions using different mass considerations. For β- decay, the formula is Ed = [M(X) – M(Y)] c², while for β+ decay, it is Ed = [M(X) – (M(Y) + 2m(e))] c², highlighting the inclusion of two electron masses due to positron emission. The confusion arises from the treatment of electron mass in the context of atomic versus nucleon mass. Ed represents the available energy associated with these reactions, which is linked to the presence of excess neutrons or protons in the atom. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the mass contributions in these calculations.
duchuy
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Homework Statement
Formula demonstration
Relevant Equations
Ed = [Mn(X) – (Mn(Y) + m(e))] c2
Hi,
I understood that to calculate the available energy in these two reactions could be calculated from Ed = [Mn(X) – (Mn(Y) + m(e))] c^2, but when I have to change use the atoms' mass instead of the nucleons' mass, it gives out two different formulas :
Ed = [M(X) – M (Y)] c2 for β-
Ed = [M(X) – (M(Y) + 2 m(e))].c2 for Ed = [M(X) – (M(Y) + 2 m(e))].c2 for β+
Can someone please explain to me why for β-, the mass of the electron isn't taken into consideration whilst for β+, we'd have to add the mass of two electrons ( when we are using the mass of the atom to calculate ).
Sorry if I have misused any vocabulary, I translated this from french.
Thank you so much for your help!
 
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kuruman said:
Please be more specific. What does Ed represent? What two reactions is Ed associated with?
I'm so sorry for that.
Ed represents the available energy. The formula Ed = [Mn(X) – (Mn(Y) + m(e))] c2 uses the mass of the entire atom and is used for β+ and - reaction.
But when only the mass of the nuclei are given, we end up with two different formulas :
Ed = [M(X) – M (Y)] c2 for β-
Ed = [M(X) – (M(Y) + 2 m(e))].c2 for Ed = [M(X) – (M(Y) + 2 m(e))].c2 for β+
I just don't understand what happened to the mass of the electrons in these two reactions.
Thank you!
 
duchuy said:
Ed represents the available energy.
The available energy when what happens?
 
kuruman said:
The available energy when what happens?
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