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In a thermonuclear reaction the total initial mass is 5.02 x 10^-27 kg

Question

In a thermonuclear reaction the total initial mass is 5.02 x 10-27 kg and the total final mass is 5.01 x 10-27 kg. What is the energy released in the process? [c = 3 x 108 m/s]

Answer

Data: Initial mass, m1 = 5.02 x 10-27 kg, Final mass, m2 = 5.01 x 10-27 kg, c = 3 x 108 m/s

Mass defect m = initial mass – final mass

m = m1 – m2 = 5.02 x 10-27 – 5.01 x 10-27 = 1.0 x 10-29 kg

Energy released, E = mc2 = 1.0 x 10-29 x (3 x 108)2 = 1.0 x 10-29 x 9 x 1016 = 9.0 x 10-13 Joule

E = 9.0 x 10-13 Joule