Question

(a) Write Einstein's mass-energy equation. Give the meaning of each symbol which occurs in it.
(b) If 25 atomic mass units (u) of a radioactive material are destroyed in a nuclear reaction, how much energy is released in MeV ?

Answer 1

a) Einstein’s equation:
where E is the amount of energy produced if mass m is destroyed, and c is the speed of light in vacuum.
(b) 1 atomic mass unit = 931 MeV
25 atomic mass unit = 931 x 25 MeV = 23275 MeV
23275 MeV of energy is released.