Q-value and Energy Balance
In writing down the reaction equation, in a way analogous to a chemical equation, one may in addition give the reaction energy on the right side:
-
- Target nucleus + projectile → Final nucleus + ejectile + Q.
For the particular case discussed above, the reaction energy has already been calculated as Q = 22.4 MeV. Hence:
-
6
3Li+ 2
1H→ 2 4
2He+ 22.4 MeV
The reaction energy (the "Q-value") is positive for exothermal reactions and negative for endothermal reactions. On the one hand, it is the difference between the sums of kinetic energies on the final side and on the initial side. But on the other hand, it is also the difference between the nuclear rest masses on the initial side and on the final side (in this way, we have calculated the Q-value above).
Read more about this topic: Nuclear Reaction
Famous quotes containing the words energy and/or balance:
“I say, stamping the words with emphasis,
Drink from here energy and only energy,”
—Stephen Spender (1909–1995)
“Bourgeois society is infected by monomania: the monomania of accounting. For it, the only thing that has value is what can be counted in francs and centimes. It never hesitates to sacrifice human life to figures which look well on paper, such as national budgets or industrial balance sheets.”
—Simone Weil (1909–1943)