Question

A certain nuclear power plant is capable of producing 1.2×10^9 W of electric power. During operation of the reactor, mass is converted to energy. How much mass is converted per hour if the efficiency of the plant is 30 percent? (Answer is in kilograms)

Answer 1

0.00016 kg

Explanation:

Given:

Power = P = 1.2 × 10⁹ Watts

Power = work done / Time

efficiency = 0.30

Input power = 1.2 × 10⁹ / 0.30 = 4 × 10⁹ W

Energy = 4 × 10⁹ x 60 x 60 = 1.44 x 10¹³ joules

E = m c² , where c is the speed of light and m is the mass.

⇒ mass = m = E / c² = (1.44 x 10¹³) / (3 × 10⁸ )²

= 0.00016 kg