A uranium-238 atom can break up into a thorium-234 atom and a particle called an alpha particle, α-4. The numbers indicate the inertias of the atoms and the alpha particle in atomic mass units (1 amu = 1.66 * 10-27 kg). When an uranium atom initially at rest breaks up, the thorium atom is observed to recoil with an x component of velocity of - 2.1 * 105 m/s. How much of the uranium atom's internal energy is released in the breakup?

Question

Aidan Stevenson

Physics

11 October, 15:51

A uranium-238 atom can break up into a thorium-234 atom and a particle called an alpha particle, α-4. The numbers indicate the inertias of the atoms and the alpha particle in atomic mass units (1 amu = 1.66 * 10-27 kg). When an uranium atom initially at rest breaks up, the thorium atom is observed to recoil with an x component of velocity of - 2.1 * 105 m/s. How much of the uranium atom's internal energy is released in the breakup?

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Evan · Answer 1

Answer: It's a bit long ...

Explanation: A uranium-238 atom can break up into a thorium-234 atom and a particle called an alpha particle, α-4. The numbers indicate the inertias of the atoms and the alpha particle in atomic mass units (1 amu = 1.66 * 10-27 kg).