Energy Change Nuclear Chemistry

AI Thread Summary
To determine the energy change (delta E) for the nuclear reaction of 500 g of 229/90 Th, the mass defect must be calculated using the given nuclear masses. The calculation involves converting the mass of thorium into moles, resulting in approximately 2.183 moles. The mass defect is found by subtracting the total mass of the products (Ra and He) from the mass of the reactant (Th). The energy change is then calculated using the equation delta E = deltam(c)^2, leading to an answer of -1.09 x 10^12 J. Proper incorporation of mass and moles is crucial for accurate results in nuclear chemistry calculations.
NY152
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Homework Statement


Determine the energy change, delta E, in J when 500 g of 229/90 Th undergoes the following nuclear reaction:
229/90 Th --> 225/88 Ra + 4/2 He
The nuclear masses in amu or g/mol are: Th-229: 229.03175; Ra-225: 225.02360; He-4: 4.00260

Homework Equations


delta E = deltam(c)^2
c= 3*10^8
1 g= 6.02*10^23

The Attempt at a Solution


I know how to do a problem like this without a different mass input, but I have no idea how to incorporate the 500 grams into the solution. The answer is -1.09*10^12 J
 
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NY152 said:

Homework Statement


Determine the energy change, delta E, in J when 500 g of 229/90 Th undergoes the following nuclear reaction:
229/90 Th --> 225/88 Ra + 4/2 He
The nuclear masses in amu or g/mol are: Th-229: 229.03175; Ra-225: 225.02360; He-4: 4.00260

Homework Equations


delta E = deltam(c)^2
c= 3*10^8
1 g= 6.02*10^23

The Attempt at a Solution


I know how to do a problem like this without a different mass input, but I have no idea how to incorporate the 500 grams into the solution. The answer is -1.09*10^12 J
Step at a time: how many mol?
 
Bystander said:
Step at a time: how many mol?
Would you do 500 g Th * 1 mol Th/229.03175 g Th = 2.183 mol Th
 
Yes. Can you take it the rest of the way?
 
Bystander said:
Yes. Can you take it the rest of the way?
Well I don't really know what to do with that number now. How do I incorporate it into the change in mass?
 
NY152 said:
g/mol are: Th-229: 229.03175; Ra-225: 225.02360; He-4: 4.00260
229 = 225 + 4; what is the mass defect?
 
Bystander said:
229 = 225 + 4; what is the mass defect?
The mass defect would be around -4, but so then how do you incorporate the 2.183 mol of Th??
 
NY152 said:
The mass defect would be around -4
"WORNG!" Try again, please.
 
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