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wleaanne
Sep 7, 2009, 06:43 AM
Find the energy (in MeV) released when α decay converts radium 226/88 Ra (atomic mass = 226.025 40 u) into radon 222/86 Rn (atomic mass = 222.017 57 u). The atomic mass of an α particle is 4.002 603 u.

Unknown008
Sep 7, 2009, 09:00 AM
Write the equation first;

^{226} _ {88} Ra \rightarrow \, ^{222} _ {86}Rn + ^{4}_{2} \alpha

Calculate the loss in mass, and then use Einstein's formula, E = mc^2 to get the energy released. Of course, you need to use the proper units.

Hope it helped! :)