The starting materials in a nuclear change have a total mass of 2 point 3 4 6 5 times 10 to the negative 27 power kilograms After the change, the resulting materials have a mass of 2 point 3 1 4 8 times 10 to the negative 27 power kilograms How much energy was released during the change?
Answer
A
2 point 1 1 times 10 to the negative 10 power cap j
B
2 point 0 8 times 10 to the negative 10 power cap j
C
8 point 5 6 times 10 to the negative 4 power cap j
D
2 point 8 5 times 10 to the negative 12 power cap j
Explanation
The mass lost in the change is the starting mass minus the resulting mass: (2.3465 − 2.3148) × 10⁻²⁷ kg = 3.17 × 10⁻²⁹ kg. Using E = mc² with c = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s gives E = (3.17 × 10⁻²⁹)(3.00 × 10⁸)² ≈ 2.85 × 10⁻¹² J. Therefore, the released energy is 2.85 × 10⁻¹² J, choice A.
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