Problem # 48Exercise [Solved]

Question: How much energy is lost (produced) or gained when Co-60 undergoes a beta decay? Mass of   Co-60 is 59.9338 g, Mass of Ni-60 is 59.9308 g.

Solution:

m = 59.9308 g - 59.9338 g = -0.003 g = -0.003 x 10^-3 kg

E = mc², where m = expressed in Kg, and c = 3.00 x 10⁸ m/s

E = -0.003 x 10^-3 kg (3.00 x 10⁸m/s)² = -3 x 10^-6 kg x 9.00 x 10¹⁶ kg.m²/s² =       -27 x 10¹⁰ kg.m²/s² = - 2.7 x 10¹¹kg.m²/s² = -2.7 x 10¹¹J = Energy produced = -6.45 x 10¹⁰ calories

(1J = 0.2388 calorie; 1calorie = 4.1868 J)

N.B: Notice the huge amount of energy produced by just 0.003 g of matter!