- #1
says
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Homework Statement
Calculate the energy equivalent of the mass of an alpha particle.
alpha particle (amu) = 4.00150618 u
1 amu = 1.660566*10-27 kg
1 amu = 931.5020 MeV
alpha particle (kg) = 6.64465675 * 10-27 kg
Homework Equations
e = mc2
The Attempt at a Solution
931.5020 MeV * 4.00150618 u
= 3727.41100968 MeV (i)
= 3727.411 (correct to 7 significant figures because 931.5020 MeV has 7 significant figures)
6.64465675 * 10-27 kg * ((2.99792458 * 108 m/s)2) = 5.97191966 * 10-10 Joules
1 eV = 1.602189 * 10-19 J
5.97191966 * 10-10 Joules / 1.602189 * 10-19 Joules
= 3727350306.36 eV
= 3727.35031 MeV
= 3727.350 MeV (correct to 7 significant figures because 1.660566*10-27 kg has 7 significant figures)
I don't understand which answer is correct. I know how to calculate the mass-energy equivalence but I'm stumped on precision & accuracy.