Find the energy emitted in the decay of 239 Pu. Strategy Nuclear reaction energy, such as

Find the energy emitted in the α decay of ²³⁹Pu.

Strategy

Nuclear reaction energy, such as released in a decay, can be found using the equation E =(Δm)c². We must first find Δm, the difference in mass between the parent nucleus and the products of the decay. This is easily done using masses given in Appendix A.

Data from Appendix A

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Atomic Masses Atomic Number, Z 1 2 3 Name neutron Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium Helium Lithium Atomic Mass Number, A 1 1 2 3 3 4 9 Symbol ΤΗ 2H or D 3 H or T 3 He 4 He 6 Li Atomic Mass (u) 1.008 665 1.007 825 2.014 102 3.016 050 3.016 030 4.002 603 6.015 121 Percent Abundance or Decay Mode B- 99.985% 0.015% B- 1.38 x 10-4% ≈100% 7.5% Half-life, t₁/2 10.37 min 12.33 y