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Problem:
The fission of [itex]^{235}_{92}U[/itex] releases approximately 200 MeV. What percentages of the orginal mass of [itex]^{235}_{92}U[/itex] + n disappears?
Solution:
Using E=mc^2 we can estimate the amount of mass m converted into energy E. Solving for m we get,
m=E/c^2=[(2 x 10^8 eV)(1.60 x 10^-19 J/eV)]/[3 x 10^8 m/s]^2=3.56 x 10-28 kg
Certainly a small amount. However, the answer in my text is 0.1%. How can this mass be converted into a percentage when the initial quantity was never given?
The fission of [itex]^{235}_{92}U[/itex] releases approximately 200 MeV. What percentages of the orginal mass of [itex]^{235}_{92}U[/itex] + n disappears?
Solution:
Using E=mc^2 we can estimate the amount of mass m converted into energy E. Solving for m we get,
m=E/c^2=[(2 x 10^8 eV)(1.60 x 10^-19 J/eV)]/[3 x 10^8 m/s]^2=3.56 x 10-28 kg
Certainly a small amount. However, the answer in my text is 0.1%. How can this mass be converted into a percentage when the initial quantity was never given?