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Question

Don't hate me for asking this question, as it will need you to work your calculator! So, in the radioactive decay -
238Pu234U+α,
What will be the kinetic energy of the outgoing α-particle?
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A
5.58 MeV
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B
4.72 MeV
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C
5.03 MeV
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D
3.34 MeV
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Solution

The correct option is A 5.58 MeV

This apparent loss in mass of the system of decay products will manifest itself as kinetic energy of the alpha particle. This energy is called the Q value of the decay. Therefore,
Kinetic energy of α=Q value=[m(238Pu){m(234U)+m(4He)}]×c2
=[238.04955 u(234.04095 u+4.002603 u)]×931MeVu
=5.58MeV.


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