- #1
Brewer
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Homework Statement
Homework Equations
Given in the question
The Attempt at a Solution
Using the numbers and equation given in the question, I got a binding energy of Thorium of 1743.64MeV, and a binding energy of Radon (?) of 1720.88MeV
I've come across a number of this style question before (most notably in the last piece of coursework I handed in before Christmas and haven't gotten back to check feedback for), and I always approach the question in the same way.
First I plug the various numbers into the equation to get the binding energies of the atoms. Then I say that the binding energy of Th is equal to that of Ra and the alpha particle, and the difference between the two will be the energy released in the decay. However when I set about the question this way I always get a negative value of Q, and I can't see why that is. Surely if the question states that energy is released I'm expecting a positive answer? I seem to remember a peer saying something about why its negative when we were doing the coursework I previously mentioned, but I didn't catch it properly and I can't remember what was said anyway.
If any of you could explain this to me (in fairly simple terms) then I would appreciate it. If the answer is not supposed to be negative then if you could point me in the direction of the correct answer then that would be appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Brewer