When subatomic particles undergo reactions, energy is conserved, but mass is not necessarily conserved. However, a particle's mass “contributes” to its total energy, in accordance with Einstein's famous equation, E = mc
2 In this equation, E denotes the energy carried by a particle because of its mass. The particle can also have additional energy due to its motion and its interactions with other particles. Consider a neutron at rest and well separated from other particles. It decays into a proton, an electron and an undetected third particle as given here: Neutron → proton + electron + ??? The given table summarizes some data from a single neutron decay. Electron volt is a unit of energy. Column 2 shows the rest mass of the particle times the speed of light squared.
| Particle | Mass × c2 (MeV) | Kinetic energy (MeV) |
| Neutron | 940.97 | 0.00 |
| Proton | 939.67 | 0.01 |
| Electron | 0.51 | 0.39 |
- From the given table, which properties of the undetected third particle can be calculate?
- Total energy, but not kinetic energy.
- Kinetic energy, but not total energy.
- Both total energy and kinetic energy.
- Neither total energy nor kinetic energy.
- Assuming the table contains no major errors, what can we conclude about the (mass × c2) of the undetected third particle?
- It is 0. 79 MeV
- It is 0.39 MeV
- It is less than or equal to 0.79 MeV; but we cannot be more precise.
- It is less than or equal to 0.40 MeV; but we cannot be more precise.
- Could this reaction occur?
Proton → neutron + other particles
- Yes, if the other particles have much more kinetic energy than mass energy.
- Yes, but only if the proton has potential energy (due to interactions with other particles).
- No, because a neutron is more massive than a proton.
- No, because a proton is positively charged while a neutron is electrically neutral.
- How much mass has to be converted into energy to produce electric power of 500MW for one hour?
- 2 × 10-5kg
- 1 × 10-5kg
- 3 × 10-5kg
- 4 × 10-5kg
- The equivalent energy of 1g of substance is.
- 9 × 1013J
- 6 × 1012J
- 3 × 1013J
- 6 × 1013J