Question

16. The equation E = mc2 is one of the lasting symbols of science. Answer the following 2 questions based on nuclear chemistry concepts found in Lesson 6 (NOT based on physics concepts).

i. Explain what each term in this equation means and what energy is being calculated. What are the derived units for E?
ii. Compare a nuclear reaction, such as uranium’s alpha particle emission, with a nonnuclear reaction, such as the reaction of sodium with chlorine. What’s the fundamental difference between these two types of reactions?

Answer 1

1: E=mc^2

E is the energy inside the object

M is the mass

C would be the speed of light

2: The nuclear reaction just like decay takes place within the nucleus of an atom, and the element then becomes another element. A chemical reaction just like the formation of NaCI does involve rearranging the electrons which are outside of the nucleus. Therefore the elements do not change.

Step-by-step explanation: