A certain nuclear reaction has a Q-value of –3.5 MeV
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Nuclear physics · Nuclear physics
Problem
A certain nuclear reaction has a Q-value of –3.5 MeV. Which of the following statements is most consistent with this information?
(a) The reaction releases 3.5MeV of energy because the total mass of the products is less than that of the reactants.
(b) Energy conservation requires that 3.5MeV be carried away (for example, by an emitted γ photon) for the reaction to occur.
(c) The reaction absorbs 3.5MeV of energy because the total mass of the products exceeds that of the reactants.
(d) The negative Q-value shows that energy is destroyed in the reaction, violating conservation of mass–energy.