Solved Example on Nuclear Physics

Example 1:

Consider a radioactive material which is undergoing fusion and resulting in a mass defect of 2 kg. Calculate the amount of energy released from the material.

Solution:

Mass defect, m = 2 kg

Velocity of light, c = 3 х 10⁸ m/s

Using Einstein’s equation,

E = mc²

E = 2 х (3 х 10⁸)²

E = 1.8 х 10¹⁷ J