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In a nuclear reaction, a change in mass of 1.0×10−⁴ g occurs.

What is the corresponding change in energy?
Use the formula E = mc².

User Zmen Hu
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Final answer:

To find the energy change corresponding to a nuclear reaction with a mass change of 1.0×10⁻⁴ g, use Einstein's equation E = mc². Converting the mass change to kilograms and then multiplying by the square of the speed of light, we obtain an energy change of 9×10¹³ Joules.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nuclear reaction in question involves a change in mass which through Einstein's equation E = mc² can be used to calculate the corresponding change in energy. The mass change given is 1.0×10⁻⁴ g, which is equivalent to -0.0001 kg (or -0.0001×10³ kg since 1 g = 10⁻³ kg). To find the energy change, we need to multiply the mass change by the speed of light squared (c²), where c is approximately 3×10⁸ m/s.

Applying the values, we get:

E = (-0.0001 kg) × (3×10⁸ m/s)²

E = -0.0001 kg × 9×10¹⁶ (m²/s²)

E = -9×10¹³ J

However, the negative sign simply indicates the direction of energy change. For our purposes, we can ignore the sign and state the change in energy for the nuclear reaction is 9×10¹³ Joules (J).

User Derek Wyatt
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