Mass-energy conservation in nuclear reactions

[voreryar]

Homework Statement

If the energy of the incident alpha-particle is 7.68 MeV, calculate the kinetic energy of the proton assuming it gets 17/18 of the available kinetic energy

Relevant Equations

E = mc^2

I found the total mass of the reactants and the products, found the change in mass, used E=mc^2 and changed my answer from Joules to eV, but my answer is wrong. I'm guessing I have to do something with the energy of the alpha-particle given in the question

The answer is supposed to be: 6.58 MeV

 

[TSny]

Did you notice that the total mass of the products is greater than the total mass of the reactants? How do you account for this?

 

[malawi_glenn]

Can you show your work?

 

[Steve4Physics]

I found the total mass of the reactants and the products, found the change in mass, used E=mc^2 and changed my answer from Joules to eV, but my answer is wrong.

Hi @voreryar. Welcome to PF.

You need to show your working so we can spot any mistakes you have made. But it sounds like you haven’t applied conservation of mass-energy correctly.

I'm guessing I have to do something with the energy of the alpha-particle given in the question

Good guess!
Initial total rest mass $=m_i$.
Final total rest mass $= m_f$.
Initial total kinetic energy of all particles $= K_i$.
Final total kinetic energy of all particles $= K_f$.

What is the relationship between $m_i, m_f, K_i$ and $K_f$ in this problem?