Nuclear Reaction for Alpha Particle Bombardment

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a nuclear reaction involving a nitrogen nucleus (N) bombarded by an alpha particle, resulting in the transmutation to an oxygen nucleus and a proton. Participants are exploring the energy requirements for this reaction and the mass defect associated with it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the equation for the nuclear reaction and the calculation of mass defect using the energy-mass equivalence principle. Questions are raised regarding the apparent discrepancy in mass before and after the reaction, particularly in relation to fission reactions. There is also inquiry into why the energy equivalent to the mass defect is attributed to the alpha particle specifically.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the kinetic energy of the alpha particle and its role in the reaction. There is an ongoing exploration of the concepts of mass defect and binding energy, with various interpretations being discussed. No explicit consensus has been reached regarding the calculations or the underlying principles.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific mass values for the nuclei involved and are attempting to reconcile their calculations with theoretical expectations. There is mention of the energy calculated being negative, prompting further discussion on the implications of mass differences in nuclear reactions.

ghulamali
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
complete data of question:
a nitrogen nucleus N(A=14,Z=7) bombared with an alpha particle of a certain energy transmutes to an oxygen nucleus(A=17,Z=8) and a proton
a:write a equation for this nuclear reaction
b:find the minimum energy of alpha particle to make this reactin occur
(mass of nitrogen=2.32530*10^-26kg,mass of oxygen=2.82282*10^-26kg,mass of proton=0.16735*10^-26kg and mass of alpha particle=0.66466*10^-26kg)
attempt on this questin:
i have written the reaction
in second part we have to calculate mas defect for finding its energy by e=mc^2
in fission reaction i learned that mass of reaction will always be greater than product,but here by calculation mass of product is greater ,why is this so.and please tell me why energy equivalent to mass defect is always alpha particle energy why not other elements like nitrogen and oxygen
answer of this question is1.89*10^-13j,i have calculated this answer but that comes in negative as i subtracted reactants minus product
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In a fission reaction some rest mass energy is converted to kinetic energy. The products of the reaction get the kinetic energy.
In this reaction the alpha particle starts with a large amount of kinetic energy which is then used to create the extra mass of the products. Because we start with large amounts of KE you need to subtract the mass of the reactants from the products to find the 'mass defect'.
Remember there isn't really a mass defect. We get the mass defect because we use rest mass values. The mass of the moving alpha particle is higher than its rest mass value.
The nitrogen and oxygen atom are assumed to have very little KE. We do not normally find atoms moving at very high energys. At room temperature their velocity due to temperature is about 500 m/s.
It is the high energy of the alpha particle which makes it an ionising radiation particle, distinguishing it from just an ionised helium atom. The same is true of the difference between beta radiation and electrons. 1.89*10^-13 j may not sound high but it is enough to make the alpha particle move at nearly 8 million m/s.
 
thank you,hope u will help me in future as well
 
ghulamali said:
complete data of question:
a nitrogen nucleus N(A=14,Z=7) bombared with an alpha particle of a certain energy transmutes to an oxygen nucleus(A=17,Z=8) and a proton
a:write a equation for this nuclear reaction
b:find the minimum energy of alpha particle to make this reactin occur
(mass of nitrogen=2.32530*10^-26kg,mass of oxygen=2.82282*10^-26kg,mass of proton=0.16735*10^-26kg and mass of alpha particle=0.66466*10^-26kg)
attempt on this questin:
i have written the reaction
in second part we have to calculate mas defect for finding its energy by e=mc^2
in fission reaction i learned that mass of reaction will always be greater than product,but here by calculation mass of product is greater ,why is this so.and please tell me why energy equivalent to mass defect is always alpha particle energy why not other elements like nitrogen and oxygen
answer of this question is1.89*10^-13j,i have calculated this answer but that comes in negative as i subtracted reactants minus product
It is not true that in a fission event the mass of the original nucleus will always be greater than the masses of the products. In fact, in the fission of a U nucleus, this is not the case. The masses of the products are less than the mass of the original nucleus. If it were otherwise, energy would not be released.

Whether energy is released in any nuclear reaction is determined by the difference in total nuclear binding energies of the original nuclei compared to the total nuclear binding energies of the products.

Since these binding energies indicate the amount of energy required to break all the nuclear bonds, the greater the binding energies, the lower the mass per nucleon. If the total nuclear binding energies of the products is greater than the total nuclear binding energies of the original nuclei, there is a net release of energy.

AM
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Replies
9
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K