Homework Help: Energy balance

1. Apr 6, 2015

skrat

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
If we have a beta + deca: $$^{22}_{11}Na(3^+)\rightarrow ^{22}_{10}Ne(2^+)+ e^+ +\nu$$ with $t_{1/2}=2.6 years$, what is the energy balance at this decay, if you know that $^{22}_{10}Ne(2^+)$ is an excited state of $^{22}_{10}Ne$ with $1.25 MeV$ larger energy.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

Ok, I don't know how to take into account that $^{22}_{10}Ne(2^+)$ is not ground state.

I tried like this:

$(m(Na)-m(Ne))c^2- \Delta E=-1.2MeV$ which is a complete nonsense.. Now I don't get it what am I doing wrong?

I used this: http://www.science.co.il/PTelements.asp

2. Apr 6, 2015

Staff: Mentor

The right side has 1.25 MeV more energy than you would expect. Nothing magical. You would get the same result if the right side would have an additional particle with an energy of 1.25 MeV.

3. Apr 6, 2015

skrat

So....

$E=m(Na) c^2-m(Ne)c^2-m_ec^2-\Delta E$

or?

4. Apr 6, 2015

Staff: Mentor

If you define $\Delta E$ to be 1.25 MeV, yes.