Work required to disassemble a helium atom

  • Thread starter Thread starter tevatron1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Atom Helium Work
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The work required to disassemble a helium atom, which has a rest mass of 4.002603u, involves calculating the mass difference between the atom and its constituent particles: 2 protons, 2 neutrons, and 2 electrons. The combined mass of these particles is 4.03298u, resulting in a mass defect of 0.030377u. Using the equation E=mc², the energy equivalent of this mass defect is calculated to be approximately 2.5466 x 1018 MeV. The conversion factor of 931.49 MeV/u is crucial for this calculation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²)
  • Familiarity with atomic structure (protons, neutrons, electrons)
  • Knowledge of mass units (atomic mass unit, MeV)
  • Basic proficiency in unit conversion and dimensional analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of mass-energy equivalence in greater detail
  • Learn about nuclear binding energy and its calculations
  • Explore advanced topics in particle physics related to atomic disassembly
  • Investigate the implications of mass defect in nuclear reactions
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, particularly those studying atomic and nuclear physics, as well as educators and researchers interested in the energy calculations related to atomic disassembly.

tevatron1
Messages
11
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A helium atom has a rest mass of He = 4.002603u. When disassembled into its constituent particles (2 protons, 2 neutrons, 2 electrons), the well-separated individual particles have the following masses: p = 1.007276u, n= 1.008665u, e = 0.000549u.

How much work is required to completely disassemble a helium atom? (Note: 1 u of mass has a rest energy of 931.49 MeV.)

Homework Equations



E=mc^2

The Attempt at a Solution



2(1.007276u + 1.008665u + 0.000549u) = 4.03298u

4.03298u - 4.002603u = .030377u

E = (0.030377u)*(931.49 MeV/u)*(3.0*10^8)^2

E = 2.5466*10^18 MeV

*I tried using c = 2.9979*10^8, however it is still wrong.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Did you notice that the units of (0.030377u)*(931.49 MeV/u)*(3.0*10^8)^2 are m4/s4?

The conversion 931.49 MeV/u is not a conversion between one mass and another mass, so multiplying by this and then using E=mc2 afterwards is pretty suspect
 
Office_Shredder said:
Did you notice that the units of (0.030377u)*(931.49 MeV/u)*(3.0*10^8)^2 are m4/s4?

The conversion 931.49 MeV/u is not a conversion between one mass and another mass, so multiplying by this and then using E=mc2 afterwards is pretty suspect

I had considered this. I'm honestly not sure where else to use the conversion. Can you give a hint? Am I correct to solve for the change in mass?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
11K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K