Question

The Q value of a nuclear reaction A + b → C + d is defined by Q = [m_A + m_B - m_c - m_d]
where the masses refer to the respective nuclei. Determine from the given data the Q-value of the following reactions and state whether the reactions are exothermic or endothermic.

(i) \(_1^1H + _1^3H \rightarrow_1^2H+_1^2H\)

(ii) \(_6^{12}C+_6^{12}C \rightarrow _{10}^{20}Ne+_2^4He\)

Atomic masses are given to be

\(m(_1^2H)\) = 2.014102u

\(m(_1^3H)\) = 3.016049u

\(m(_6^{12}C)\) = 12.000000u

\(m(_{10}^{20}Ne)\) = 19.992439u

Answer 1

Since the Q-value is positive, the reaction is exothermic.