Nature of e=mc^2 and other miscelaneous questions

In summary, the conversation covers various topics such as the energy equivalent of 1 kg of matter in joules, the transformation of matter in fusion reactions, the possibility of an explosion within Jupiter triggering a fusion reaction, and the energy required for fission. The mean density of Jupiter and its relation to gravitational compression and electron repulsion is also discussed. The energy output of a deuterium-tritium fusion reaction is 17.6 MeV and the mean density of Jupiter is 1.326 g/cm^3.
  • #1
Aphex_Twin
39
0
If you have 1 kg of matter, what is the energy equivalent of it in say joules?

How much of the matter (heavy hidrogen?) that goes into a fusion reaction is transformed to energy?


And to the point...

Last year there was this discussion about what would happened if the Galileo orbiter would crash into Jupiter. More precisely, there were some (I don't know if actual physicists) that hinted that the uranium present on board of the craft (from the reactor powering it) would explode with enough power to trigger a fusion reaction within the Jupiter lower atmosphere.

Now, theoretically speaking, is it possible for an explosion within Jupiter (or what should Jupiter be like) to create a powerful enough pressure shock front, to trigger the fusion of the hydrogen atoms in it's path, and if it's possible to create a chain reaction this way...
 
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  • #2
For the last question,well i don't know,it may be pure speculation,though...For the first,approximately [itex] 9\cdot 10^{16}J [/itex],as for the second,well,look for the reaction in a book,then for the rest masses of proton (H nucleus) and the alpha particle and compute the mass defect.

Daniel.
 
  • #3
What is the energy required to heat up one H2 and one H3 from a given temperature n (Kelvin), up to 10^9 K (required for fission)?

How does the density of an object bound solely by it's gravitational compression and electron repulsion vary? My guess is that it should be cubic or quadratic-like as we start moving inwards from the surface but aproaching a finite limit as we approach the center of mass. How do you put this into a relation?


So the energy output of a fusion reaction (deuterium-tritium) is 17.6 MeV
The mean density of Jupiter is 1.326 g/cm^3.
 

Related to Nature of e=mc^2 and other miscelaneous questions

What is the nature of e=mc^2?

The equation e=mc^2, also known as the mass-energy equivalence equation, states that energy (e) is equal to mass (m) multiplied by the speed of light (c) squared. This equation shows that mass and energy are interchangeable and that even a small amount of mass can release a large amount of energy.

How was e=mc^2 discovered?

The equation e=mc^2 was first discovered by Albert Einstein in 1905 as a result of his theory of special relativity. He derived the equation while investigating the behavior of light and how it interacts with matter.

What are the implications of e=mc^2?

The implications of e=mc^2 are vast and have had a significant impact on our understanding of the universe. This equation has led to the development of nuclear energy, the construction of nuclear weapons, and has contributed to advancements in fields such as astrophysics and particle physics.

Is e=mc^2 the most famous equation in physics?

While e=mc^2 is certainly a well-known equation, it is not necessarily the most famous in physics. Other equations, such as Newton's laws of motion and Einstein's theory of general relativity, are also highly recognized and significant in the field of physics.

Are there any exceptions to e=mc^2?

There are no known exceptions to e=mc^2. This equation has been extensively tested and has been shown to hold true in all observed cases. However, it is important to note that this equation only applies to objects with mass and cannot be used to calculate the energy of massless particles, such as photons.

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