Calculating the Mass Difference for Beta Plus Decay: 13N → 13C + e+ + ve

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sunrah
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Homework Statement


What is the mass difference of the following process:
13N → 13C + e+ + ve

Homework Equations


Δm = m(A,Z) - m(A, Z-1) - m(e+)

Neutrino has negligible mass.
Z proton number
A = N + Z, where N is number of neutrons

The Attempt at a Solution



[itex] \begin{align}<br /> \Delta m &= m(^{13}N) - m(^{13}C) - m(e^{+})\\<br /> &= (7\cdot m_{p} + 6\cdot m_{n}) - (6\cdot m_{p} + 7\cdot m_{n}) - m_{e}\\<br /> &= m_{p} - m_{n} - m_{e} = const < 0<br /> \end{align}[/itex]

so the energy of all beta decay is the same and negative?
 
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sunrah said:
[itex] \begin{align}<br /> \Delta m &= m(^{13}N) - m(^{13}C) - m(e^{+})\\<br /> \end{align}[/itex]
It is a long time since my first year physics, but I reckon you need the isotopic mass of each of these isotopes, at this point. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotopes_of_carbon[/color]

so the energy of all beta decay is the same and negative?
My money's on "NO". :smile: