Question

Calculate the Q-Value or Energy of a reaction.

Answer 1

Let m₂ , m₃ are nuclear masses of X and Y respectively.

The energy, [(m₁ + m₂) – (m₃ + m₄)]c² , that is released or absorbed in a nuclear reaction is called the Q-Value or disintegration energy of the reaction.

Hence, Q = [(m₁ + m₂) – (m₃ + m₄ )]c² J 

or, Q = [(m₁ + m₂) – (m₃ + m₄)] 931.5 MeV, when masses are in a.m.u.