Final answer:
The mass converted into energy by a 12.0-kT bomb is calculated using Einstein's mass-energy equivalence formula, E=mc², and yields a mass of approximately 5.58×10 kg, which is not provided in the given options.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the mass converted into energy by a 12.0-kT (kiloton) bomb, we use the mass-energy equivalence formula derived from Einstein's theory of relativity, E=mc², where E is energy, m is mass, and c is the speed of light in a vacuum (approximately 3.00×10⁸ m/s).
First, we must convert kilotons to joules, recognizing that 1 kiloton of TNT is equivalent to 4.184×10¹² joules. Therefore, the energy released by a 12.0-kT bomb is 12.0×10³ kilotons × 4.184×10¹² joules/kiloton = 5.0208×10¹⁴ joules.
Applying the mass-energy equivalence formula, we have m = E / c² = 5.0208×10¹⁴ J / (3.00×10⁸ m/s)², which simplifies to approximately 5.58×10 kg. So, none of the given options are correct, assuming the stated values are the only possible answers.