- #1
phantomvommand
- 287
- 39
- TL;DR
- I notice a discrepancy in calculating the energy released when using binding energy and mass defect.
Consider the equation
X (200, 50) + n (1, 0) -> Y (120, 30) + Z (70, 20) + 11 n(1, 0)
Let p be the mass of a proton, n be the mass of a neutron.
BE(X) = [50p + 150n - M(X)] c^2
BE(Y) = [30p + 90n - M(Y)] c^2
BE(Z) = [20p + 50n - M(Z)]c^2
The energy released when using BE (products) - BE (reactants) is thus: [M(X) - M(Y) - M(Z) - 10n] c^2
On the other hand, the mass released using [Mass (reactants) - Mass (products)]c^2 = [M(X) - M(Y) - M(Z)] c^2
There is a difference of 10n * c^2. Which is the correct calculation and why is the other wrong? Thank you!
X (200, 50) + n (1, 0) -> Y (120, 30) + Z (70, 20) + 11 n(1, 0)
Let p be the mass of a proton, n be the mass of a neutron.
BE(X) = [50p + 150n - M(X)] c^2
BE(Y) = [30p + 90n - M(Y)] c^2
BE(Z) = [20p + 50n - M(Z)]c^2
The energy released when using BE (products) - BE (reactants) is thus: [M(X) - M(Y) - M(Z) - 10n] c^2
On the other hand, the mass released using [Mass (reactants) - Mass (products)]c^2 = [M(X) - M(Y) - M(Z)] c^2
There is a difference of 10n * c^2. Which is the correct calculation and why is the other wrong? Thank you!