A parent nucleus has total binding energy 1700 MeV. After α-decay, the daughter nucleus has total binding energy 1680 MeV and the α-particle has binding energy 28 MeV. If the decay energy release is N MeV, find N.
Physics · Nuclear physics · radioactivity and law of decay
JEE Mains NEET JEE Advanced

Question

A parent nucleus has total binding energy 1700 MeV. After α-decay, the daughter nucleus has total binding energy 1680 MeV and the α-particle has binding energy 28 MeV. If the decay energy release is N MeV, find N.

Physics · Nuclear physics · radioactivity and law of decay

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Initial total binding energy: BE(initial) = 1700 MeV. Final total binding energy: BE(final) = 1680+28 = 1708 MeV. Energy released equals the increase in total binding energy: Q = 1708−1700 = 8 MeV. Hence N = 8.