45

Applications of Nuclear Physics

CHAPTER OUTLINE
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
45.1 Interactions Involving
Neutrons
45.2 Nuclear Fission
Q45.1 A moderator is used to slow down neutrons released in the
45.3 Nuclear Reactors fission of one nucleus, so that they are likely to be absorbed by
45.4 Nuclear Fusion another nucleus to make it fission.
45.5 Radiation Damage
45.6 Radiation Detectors
Q45.2 The hydrogen nuclei in water molecules have mass similar to
45.7 Uses of Radiation
that of a neutron, so that they can efficiently rob a fast-moving
neutron of kinetic energy as they scatter it. Once the neutron is
slowed down, a hydrogen nucleus can absorb it in the reaction
n + 11 H → 21 H .

Q45.3 The excitation energy comes from the binding energy of the
extra nucleon.

Q45.4 The advantage of a fission reaction is that it can generate much more electrical energy per gram of
fuel compared to fossil fuels. Also, fission reactors do not emit greenhouse gasses as combustion
byproducts like fossil fuels—the only necessary environmental discharge is heat. The cost involved
in producing fissile material is comparable to the cost of pumping, transporting and refining fossil
fuel.
The disadvantage is that some of the products of a fission reaction are radioactive—and some
of those have long half-lives. The other problem is that there will be a point at which enough fuel is
spent that the fuel rods do not supply power economically and need to be replaced. The fuel rods
are still radioactive after removal. Both the waste and the “spent” fuel rods present serious health
and environmental hazards that can last for tens of thousands of years. Accidents and sabotage
involving nuclear reactors can be very serious, as can accidents and sabotage involving fossil fuels.

Q45.5 The products of fusion reactors are generally not themselves unstable, while fission reactions result
in a chain of reactions which almost all have some unstable products.

Q45.6 For the deuterium nuclei to fuse, they must be close enough to each other for the nuclear forces to
overcome the Coulomb repulsion of the protons—this is why the ion density is a factor. The more
time that the nuclei in a sample spend in close proximity, the more nuclei will fuse—hence the
confinement time is a factor.

595
596 Applications of Nuclear Physics

Q45.7 In a fusion reaction, the main idea is to get the nuclear forces, which act over very short distances, to
overcome the Coulomb repulsion of the protons. Tritium has one more neutron in the nucleus, and
thus increases the nuclear force, decreasing the necessary kinetic energy to obtain D–T fusion as
compared to D–D fusion.

Q45.8 The biggest obstacle is power loss due to radiation. Remember that a high temperature must be
maintained to keep the fuel in a reactive plasma state. If this kinetic energy is lost due to
bremsstrahlung radiation, then the probability of nuclear fusion will decrease significantly.
Additionally, each of the confinement techniques requires power input, thus raising the bar for
sustaining a reaction in which the power output is greater than the power input.

Q45.9 Fusion of light nuclei to a heavier nucleus releases energy. Fission of a heavy nucleus to lighter
nuclei releases energy. Both processes are steps towards greater stability on the curve of binding
energy, Figure 44.5. The energy release per nucleon is typically greater for fusion, and this process is
harder to control.

Q45.10 Advantages of fusion: high energy yield, no emission of greenhouse gases, fuel very easy to obtain,
reactor can not go supercritical like a fission reactor, low amounts of radioactive waste.
Disadvantages: requires high energy input to sustain reaction, lithium and helium are scarce,
neutrons released by reaction cause structural damage to reactor housing.

Q45.11 The fusion fuel must be heated to a very high temperature. It must be contained at a sufficiently
high density for a sufficiently long time to achieve a reasonable energy output.

Q45.12 The first method uses magnetic fields to contain the plasma, reducing its contact with the walls of
the container. This way, there is a reduction in heat loss to the environment, so that the reaction may
be sustained over seconds.
The second method involves striking the fuel with high intensity, focused lasers from multiple
directions, effectively imploding the fuel. This increases the internal pressure and temperature of
the fuel to the point of ignition.

Q45.13 No. What is critical in radiation safety is the type of radiation encountered. The curie is a measure of
the rate of decay, not the products of the decay or of their energies.

Q45.14 X-ray radiation can cause genetic damage in the developing fetus. If the damaged cells survive the
radiation and reproduce, then the genetic errors will be replicated, potentially causing severe birth
defects or death of the child.

Q45.15 For each additional dynode, a larger applied voltage is needed, and hence a larger output from a
power supply—“infinite” amplification would not be practical. Nor would it be desirable: the goal is
to connect the tube output to a simple counter, so a massive pulse amplitude is not needed. If you
made the detector sensitive to weaker and weaker signals, you would make it more and more
sensitive to background noise.
 Chapter 45 597
Q45.16 Sometimes the references are oblique indeed. Some must serve for more than one form of energy or
mode of transfer. Here is one list:
kinetic: ocean currents
rotational kinetic: Earth turning
gravitational: water lifted up
elastic: Elastic energy is necessary for sound, listed below.
internal: by contrast to a chilly night; or in forging a chain
chemical: flames
sound: thunder
electrical transmission: lightning
electromagnetic radiation: heavens blazing; lightning
atomic electronic: In the blazing heavens, stars have different colors because of different
predominant energy losses by atoms at their surfaces.
nuclear: The blaze of the heavens is produced by nuclear reactions in the cores of stars.
Remarkably, the word “energy” in this translation is an anachronism. Goethe wrote the song a few
years before Thomas Young coined the term.

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS

Section 45.1 Interactions Involving Neutrons

Section 45.2 Nuclear Fission

*P45.1 The energy is

FG 1 eV IJ FG 1 U - 235 nucleus IJ FG
3.30 × 10 10 J
235 g IJ FG M IJ =
H 1.60 × 10 J K H 208 MeV K H 6.02 × 10 nucleus K H 10 K
−19 23 6
0.387 g of U - 235 .

P45.2 ∆m = bm + M g − b M + M + 3m g
n U Zr Te n

∆m = b1.008 665 u + 235.043 923 ug − d97.912 7 u + 134.916 5 u + 3b1.008 665 ugi

∆m = 0.197 39 u = 3.28 × 10 −28 kg so Q = ∆mc 2 = 2.95 × 10 −11 J = 184 MeV

1 235 90 144
P45.3 Three different fission reactions are possible: 0 n + 92 U → 38 Sr + 54 Xe + 2 01 n 144
54 Xe

1 235 90 143
0 n + 92 U → 38 Sr + 54 Xe + 3 01 n 143
54 Xe
1 235
0 n + 92 U → 90 142
38 Sr + 54 Xe + 4 01 n 142
54 Xe

1 238 239 239 − 239 239 −

P45.4 0 n + 92 U → 92 U → 93 Np + e +ν 93 Np → 94 Pu + e +ν

−
P45.5 1 232 233 233
0 n + 90Th → 90Th → 91 Pa + e +ν 233 233
91 Pa → 92 U + e− + ν

P45.6 (a) a f
Q = ∆m c 2 = mn + M U235 − M Ba141 − M Kr92 − 3mn c 2

∆m = b1.008 665 + 235.043 923 g − b140.914 4 + 91.926 2 + 3 × 1.008 665 g u = 0.185 993 u
Q = b0.185 993 ugb931.5 MeV ug = 173 MeV

∆m 0.185993 u
(b) f= = = 7.88 × 10 −4 = 0.078 8%
mi 236.05 u
598 Applications of Nuclear Physics

*P45.7 (a) The initial mass is 1.007 825 u + 11.009 306 u = 12.017 131 u . The final mass is
b g
3 4.002 603 u = 12.007 809 u
. The rest mass annihilated is ∆m = 0.009 322 u. The energy

created is Q = ∆mc 2 = 0.009 322 u

FG
931.5 MeV IJ
1u H K
= 8.68 MeV .

(b) The proton and the boron nucleus have positive charges. The colliding particles must have
enough kinetic energy to approach very closely in spite of their electric repulsion.

P45.8 If the electrical power output of 1 000 MW is 40.0% of the power derived from fission reactions, the
power output of the fission process is
1 000 MW
0.400
e je j
= 2.50 × 10 9 J s 8.64 × 10 4 s d = 2.16 × 10 14 J d .

e
The number of fissions per day is 2.16 × 10 14 J d jFGH 2001 fission IJ FG 1 eV IJ = 6.74 × 10 24
d −1 .
× 10 eV K H 1.60 × 10
6
JK −19

235 235
This also is the number of U nuclei used, so the mass of U used per day is
F I = 2.63 × 10
e6.74 × 10 24
nuclei d jGH 6.02 × 235 g mol
J
10 nuclei mol K
23
3
g d = 2.63 kg d .

In contrast, a coal-burning steam plant producing the same electrical power uses more than
6 × 10 6 kg d of coal.

P45.9 The available energy to do work is 0.200 times the energy content of the fuel.
F a208fe1.60 × 10 JjI
b1.00 kg fuelge0.034 0 U fueljFGH 1 1000kgg IJK FGH 1235molg IJK e6.02 × 10
−13

moljG
GH fission JJK = 2.90 × 10
235 23 12
J

e2.90 × 10 Jja0.200f = 5.80 × 10 J = e1.00 × 10 Nj∆r

12 11 5

∆r = 5.80 × 10 6 m = 5.80 Mm

Section 45.3 Nuclear Reactors

4 3
πr
FG 3V IJ 13
A 4π r 2
= 4.84V −1 3 .
P45.10 (a) For a sphere: V=
3
and r=
H 4π K so
V
=
b g
4 3 π r3

A 6 2
(b) For a cube: V= 3
and = V1 3 so = 3 = 6V −1 3 .
V

For a parallelepiped: V = 2 a 3
FG V IJ 13
A e
2a 2 + 8a 2 j
= 6.30V −1 3 .
(c) and a=
H 2K so
V
=
2a3

(d) Therefore, the sphere has the least leakage and the
parallelepiped has the greatest leakage for a given volume.
 Chapter 45 599

a fe F 10 g I = 7 × 10
6
P45.11 mass of 235
U available ≈ 0.007 10 9 metric tons jGH 1 metric ton JK
12
g

F 7 × 10 g I 6.02 × 10
12
number of nuclei ≈ GH 235 g mol JK e 23
j
nuclei mol = 1.8 × 10 34 nuclei

The energy available from fission (at 208 MeV/event) is

e jb ge
E ≈ 1.8 × 10 34 events 208 MeV event 1.60 × 10 −13 J MeV = 6.0 × 10 23 J . j
This would last for a time interval of

∆t =
E
P
≈
6.0 × 10 23 J
7.0 × 10 12 J s
e
= 8.6 × 10 10 s
1 yr
3.16 × 10 7 s
jFGH
≈ 3 000 yr .
IJ
K
60.0 s
P45.12 In one minute there are = 5.00 × 10 4 fissions .
1.20 ms
So the rate increases by a factor of 1.000 25 b g 50 000
= 2.68 × 10 5 .

P45.13 P = 10.0 MW = 1.00 × 10 7 J s

If each decay delivers 1.00 MeV = 1.60 × 10 −13 J , then the number of decays/s = 6.25 × 10 19 Bq .

Section 45.4 Nuclear Fusion

P45.14 (a) The Q value for the D-T reaction is 17.59 MeV.
Specific energy content in fuel for D-T reaction:
a17.59 MeVfe1.60 × 10 J MeVj = 3.39 × 10 J kg
−13
14

a5 ufe1.66 × 10 kg uj −27

r =
e3.00 × 10 J sjb3 600 s hrg = 31.9 g h burning of D and T
9
.
DT
e3.39 × 10 J kg je10 kg g j
14 −3

(b) Specific energy content in fuel for D-D reaction: Q =

1
2
a f
3.27 + 4.03 = 3.65 MeV average of
two Q values
a3.65 MeVfe1.60 × 10 J MeV j = 8.80 × 10 J kg
−13
13

a4 ufe1.66 × 10 kg uj −27

r =
e3.00 × 10 J sjb3 600 s hrg = 122 g h burning of D
9
.
DD
e8.80 × 10 J kg je10 kg g j
13 −3
600 Applications of Nuclear Physics

P45.15 (a) At closest approach, the electrostatic potential energy equals the total energy E.

Uf =
b gb g = E :
k e Z1 e Z 2 e
rmin

E=
e8.99 × 10 9
je
N ⋅ m 2 C 2 1.6 × 10 −19 C Z1 Z 2 j 2

= e2.30 × 10 JjZ Z
−14
.
1 2
1.00 × 10 −14 m

(b) For both the D-D and the D-T reactions, Z1 = Z 2 = 1 . Thus, the minimum energy required in
both cases is

e
E = 2.30 × 10 −14 J jFGH 1.601 ×MeV IJ =
JK
−13
10
144 keV .

Section 45.4 in the text gives more accurate values for the critical ignition temperatures, of
about 52 keV for D-D fusion and 6 keV for D-T fusion. The nuclei can fuse by tunneling. A
triton moves more slowly than a deuteron at a given temperature. Then D-T collisions last
longer than D-D collisions and have much greater tunneling probabilities.

P45.16 (a) e
r f = rD + rT = 1.20 × 10 −15 m 2 j a f + a3 f
13 13
= 3.24 × 10 −15 m

(b)
k e2
Uf = e =
e
8.99 × 10 9 N ⋅ m 2 C 2 1.60 × 10 −19 C je j 2

= 7.10 × 10 −14 J = 444 keV

rf 3.24 × 10 −15 m

(c) Conserving momentum, b FG m IJ v = 2 v

m D vi = m D + m T v f , or v f = g D
Hm +m K 5 D T
i i

(d) K i + Ui = K f + U f : K + 0 = bm + m gv + U = bm + m gG
1 1 F m IJ v
2 D
2
2
+U f
i
2
D
2
T
Hm +m K
f f D T
D T
i

K +0=G
F m IJ FG 1 m v IJ + U = FG m IJ K + U
D 2 D
i
H m + m KH 2 K
D T Hm +m K D i f
D T
i f

FG 1 − m IJ K = U :
D
K =U G
F m + m IJ = 5 a444 keVf = 740 keV
D T
H m +m K D T
i f i
H m K 3
f
T

(e) Possibly by tunneling.

3 1
P45.17 (a) Average KE per particle is k B T = mv 2 .
2 2

Therefore, v rms =
3 k BT
=
e
3 1.38 × 10 −23 J K 4.00 × 10 8 K je j= 2.23 × 10 6 m s .
m e
2 1.67 × 10 −27
kg j
x 0.1 m
(b) t= ~ 6 = ~ 10 −7 s
v 10 m s
 Chapter 45 601

jFGH 1 609 mI
3
P45.18 (a) e
V = 317 × 10 6 mi 3
1 mi K
J = 1.32 × 10 m 18 3

m water = ρV = e10 kg m je1.32 × 10 m j = 1.32 × 10 kg

3 3 18 3 21

F M I m = FG 2.016 IJ 1.32 × 10 kg = 1.48 × 10 kg

=G
H M JK H 18.015 K e j
H2 21 20
mH 2 H 2O
H 2O

m Deuterium= b0.030 0%gm = e0.030 0 × 10 je1.48 × 10 kg j = 4.43 × 10

H2
−2 20 16
kg

The number of deuterium nuclei in this mass is

m Deuterium 4.43 × 10 16 kg
N= = = 1.33 × 10 43 .
m Deuteron a
2.014 u 1.66 × 10fe−27
kg u j
Since two deuterium nuclei are used per fusion, 21 H + 21 H → 24 He + Q , the number of events
N
is = 6.63 × 10 42 .
2
The energy released per event is

b g
Q = M 2 H + M 2 H − M 4 He c 2 = 2 2.014 102 − 4.002 603 u 931.5 MeV u = 23.8 MeV .b g
The total energy available is then

FG N IJ Q = e6.63 × 10 ja23.8 MeVfFG 1.60 × 10 J IJ =

42
−13
2.53 × 10 31 J .
E=
H 2K H 1 MeV K
(b) The time this energy could possibly meet world requirements is

∆t =
E
P
=
e
2.53 × 10 31 J
100 7.00 × 10 12
J sj
e
= 3.61 × 10 16 s jFGH 3.161×yr10 s IJK =
7
1.14 × 10 9 yr ~ 1 billion years .

P45.19 (a) Including both ions and electrons, the number of particles in the plasma is N = 2nV where n
is the ion density and V is the volume of the container. Application of Equation 21.6 gives
the total energy as
L I OPe1.38 × 10
jMMe50 m jFGH 101 mcm
6 3
3
E= e
Nk BT = 3nVk B T = 3 2.0 × 10 13 cm −3 3
JK PQ −23
je
J K 4.0 × 10 8 K j
2 N 3

E = 1.7 × 10 7 J

(b) From Table 20.2, the heat of vaporization of water is L v = 2.26 × 10 6 J kg . The mass of water
that could be boiled away is
E 1.7 × 10 7 J
m= = = 7.3 kg .
L v 2.26 × 10 6 J kg
602 Applications of Nuclear Physics

P45.20 (a) Lawson’s criterion for the D-T reaction is nτ ≥ 10 14 s cm 3 . For a confinement time of
τ = 1.00 s, this requires a minimum ion density of n = 10 14 cm −3 .

(b) At the ignition temperature of T = 4.5 × 10 7 K and the ion density found above, the plasma
pressure is

LM O
jFGH 101 mcm IJK PPe1.38 × 10
6 3

MNe je j
P = 2nk B T = 2 10 14 cm −3 −23
J K 4.5 × 10 7 K = 1.24 × 10 5 J m 3 .
3
Q
(c) The required magnetic energy density is then

B2
uB =
2µ 0
e
≥ 10 P = 10 1.24 × 10 5 J m3 = 1.24 × 10 6 J m 3 , j
e je
B ≥ 2 4π × 10 −7 N A 2 1.24 × 10 6 J m 3 = 1.77 T . j
P45.21 Let the number of 6 Li atoms, each having mass 6.015 u, be N 6 while the number of 7 Li atoms, each
with mass 7.016 u, is N 7 .

F 0.925 I N .
b g
Then, GH 0.075 0 JK
N 6 = 7.50% of N total = 0.075 0 N 6 + N 7 , or N 7 = 6

Also, total mass = N a6.015 uf + N a7.016 uf e1.66 × 10

6 7 kg uj = 2.00 kg , −27

L F 0.925 I a7.016 ufOPe1.66 × 10 kg uj = 2.00 kg .

N Ma6.015 uf + G
H 0.075 0 JK
−27
or
MN
6
PQ
This yields N 6 = 1.30 × 10 25 as the number of 6 Li atoms and

F 0.925 I e1.30 × 10 j =
N7 = GH 0.075 0 JK 25
1.61 × 10 26 as the number of 7 Li atoms.

P45.22 The number of nuclei in 1.00 metric ton of trash is

23
b
N = 1 000 kg 1 000 g kg g 6.02 ×5610.0 gnuclei
mol
mol
= 1.08 × 10 28
nuclei .

At an average charge of 26.0 e/nucleus, e ja fe j

q = 1.08 × 10 28 26.0 1.60 × 10 −19 = 4.47 × 10 10 C .

q 4. 47 × 10 10
Therefore t= = = 4.47 × 10 4 s = 12.4 h .
I 1.00 × 10 6
 Chapter 45 603
Section 45.5 Radiation Damage

mass present 5.00 kg

P45.23 N0 = = = 3.35 × 10 25 nuclei
mass of nucleus b
89.907 7 u 1.66 × 10 −
ge
27
kg u j
ln 2 ln 2
λ= = = 2.38 × 10 −2 yr −1 = 4.52 × 10 −8 min −1
T1 2 29.1 yr

e je j
R0 = λN 0 = 4.52 × 10 −8 min −1 3.35 × 10 25 = 1.52 × 10 18 counts min
R 10.0 counts min
= e −λ t = = 6.60 × 10 −18
R0 1.52 × 10 18 counts min

and e
λ t = − ln 6.60 × 10 −18 = 39.6j
39.6 39.6
giving t= = = 1.66 × 10 3 yr .
λ 2.38 × 10 −2 yr −1

P45.24 Source: 100 mrad of 2-MeV γ -rays/h at a 1.00-m distance.

(a) For γ -rays, dose in rem = dose in rad.

Thus a person would have to stand 10.0 hours to receive 1.00 rem from a 100-mrad/h
source.

1
(b) If the γ -radiation is emitted isotropically, the dosage rate falls off as .
r2
Thus a dosage 10.0 mrad/h would be received at a distance r = 10.0 m = 3.16 m .

P45.25 (a) The number of x-rays taken per year is

b gb gb g
n = 8 x - ray d 5 d wk 50 wk yr = 2.0 × 10 3 x - ray yr .
5.0 rem yr
The average dose per photograph is = 2.5 × 10 −3 rem x - ray .
2.0 × 10 3 x - ray yr

(b) The technician receives low-level background radiation at a rate of 0.13 rem yr . The dose of
5.0 rem yr received as a result of the job is
5.0 rem yr
= 38 times background levels .
0.13 rem yr

I = I 0 e − µ x , so
1 FG IJ
I
ln 0
P45.26 (a) x=
µ H K
I

With µ = 1.59 cm −1 , the thickness when I =

I0
2
is x=
1
1.59 cm −1
af
ln 2 = 0.436 cm .

I0 1
(b) When
I
= 1.00 × 10 4 , x=
1.59 cm −1 e j
ln 1.00 × 10 4 = 5.79 cm .
604 Applications of Nuclear Physics

P45.27 1 rad = 10 −2 J kg Q = mc∆T P ∆ t = mc∆T

∆t =
mc∆T
=
b
m 4 186 J kg ⋅° C 50.0° C ga f= 2.09 × 10 6 s ≈ 24 days!
P a10fe10 −2
J kg ⋅ s m ja f
Note that power is the product of dose rate and mass.

Q absorbed energy 10 −2 J kg
P45.28
m
=
unit mass
= 1 000 rad
1 rad
b = 10.0 J kg g
The rise in body temperature is calculated from Q = mc∆T where c = 4 186 J kg for water and the
human body

∆T =
Q
mc
b
= 10.0 J kg
1
g
4 186 J kg ⋅° C
= 2.39 × 10 −3 ° C (Negligible).

P45.29 If half of the 0.140-MeV gamma rays are absorbed by the patient, the total energy absorbed is

a0.140 MeVf LMF 1.00 × 10 g I F 6.02 × 10 nuclei I OP = 4.26 × 10 MeV

−8 23

MNGH 98.9 g mol JK GH 1 mol JK PQ

12
E=
2

E = e 4.26 × 10 MeV je1.60 × 10

12
J MeV j = 0.682 J
−13

0.682 J F 1 rad I
60.0 kg GH 10 J kg JK
Thus, the dose received is Dose = = 1.14 rad . −2

N = e1.00 × 10 g jG
F 6.02 × 10 nuclei mol I = 6.70 × 10 23

H 89.9 g mol JK
−9 12
P45.30 The nuclei initially absorbed are 0 .

∆N = N − N = N e1 − e j = N e1 − e
a f
The number of decays in time t is 0 j. 0
−λ t
0
− ln 2 t T1 2

t 1.00 yr
At the end of 1 year, = = 0.034 4
T1 2 29.1 yr

and e je j
∆N = N 0 − N = 6.70 × 10 12 1 − e −0.023 8 = 1.58 × 10 11 .

The energy deposited is E = e1.58 × 10 ja1.10 MeV fe1.60 × 10

11
J MeV j = 0.027 7 J . −13

Dose = G
F 0.027 7 J I = 3.96 × 10 J kg = 0.039 6 rad.
H 70.0 kg JK
−4
Thus, the dose received is

Section 45.6 Radiation Detectors

P45.31 (a)
E
=
b g a f b ge
1 2 C ∆V
2
=
1 2 5.00 × 10 −12 F 1.00 × 10 3 V
= 3.12 × 10 7
je j2

Eβ 0.500 MeV a
0.500 MeV 1.60 × 10 −13 J MeV fe j
(b) N=
Q C ∆V
= =
a f e
5.00 × 10 −12 F 1.00 × 10 3 V je
= 3.12 × 10 10 electrons
j
e e 1.60 × 10 −19 C
 Chapter 45 605
P45.32 (a) EI = 10.0 eV is the energy required to liberate an electron from a dynode. Let ni be the
number of electrons incident upon a dynode, each having gained energy e ∆V as it was a f
accelerated to this dynode. The number of electrons that will be freed from this dynode is
∆V
N i = ni e :
EI

At the first dynode, ni = 1 and N1 =

a1fea100 V f = 10 1 electrons .
10.0 eV

(b) For the second dynode, ni = N 1 = 10 1 , so N2 =

a
(10 1 ) e 100 Vf= 10 2 .
10.0 eV

At the third dynode, ni = N 2 = 10 2 and N3 =

a
(10 2 ) e 100 Vf= 10 3 .
10.0 eV
Observing the developing pattern, we see that the number of electrons incident on the
seventh and last dynode is n 7 = N 6 = 10 6 .

(c) The number of electrons incident on the last dynode is n 7 = 10 6 . The total energy these
electrons deliver to that dynode is given by

a f a f
E = ni e ∆V = 10 6 e 700 V − 600 V = 10 8 eV .

P45.33 (a) The average time between slams is 60 min 38 = 1.6 min . Sometimes, the actual interval is
nearly zero. Perhaps about equally as often, it is 2 × 1.6 min. Perhaps about half as often, it is
4 × 1.6 min . Somewhere around 5 × 1.6 min = 8.0 min , the chances of randomness
producing so long a wait get slim, so such a long wait might likely be due to mischief.

(b) The midpoints of the time intervals are separated by 5.00 minutes. We use R = R0 e − λ t .
Subtracting the background counts,

a f
337 − 5 15 = 372 − 5 15 ea f e ja
− ln 2 T1 2 5 .00 min f
F 262 IJ = ln a0.882f = − 3.47 min T
ln G
or
H 297 K 1 2 which yields T1 2 = 27.6 min .

(c) As in the random events in part (a), we imagine a ±5 count counting uncertainty. The
smallest likely value for the half-life is then given by
FG 262 − 5 IJ = − 3.47 min T e j
ln
H 297 + 5 K 1 2 , or T1 2
min
= 21.1 min .

The largest credible value is found from

FG 262 + 5 IJ = − 3.47 min T , yielding eT j = 38.8 min .
ln
H 297 − 5 K 1 2 1 2
max

T =G
F 38.8 + 21.1 IJ ± FG 38.8 − 21.1 IJ min = a30 ± 9f min = 30 min ± 30% .
Thus, 1 2
H 2 K H 2 K
606 Applications of Nuclear Physics

Section 45.7 Uses of Radiation

59
P45.34 The initial specific activity of Fe in the steel,

b R mg F
20.0 µCi 100 µCi 3.70 × 10 4 Bq I
0
=
0.200 kg
=
kg GH
1 µCi JK
= 3.70 × 10 6 Bq kg .

R F RI e jb g = 1.95 × 10 6
=G J e = e3.70 × 10 Bq kg je
−λ t 6 − 6. 40 ×10 −4 h −1 1 000 h
After 1 000 h,
m H m K 0
Bq kg .

R =G
F 800 Bq literIJ (6.50 liters) = 86.7 Bq .
The activity of the oil, oil
H 60.0 K
Roil 86.7 Bq
Therefore, m in oil = = = 4.45 × 10 −5 kg .
b g
Rm 1.95 × 10 6 Bq kg

4. 45 × 10 −5 kg
So that wear rate is = 4.45 × 10 −8 kg h .
1 000 h

ln 2 ln 2
P45.35 The half-life of 14
O is 70.6 s, so the decay constant is λ = = = 0.009 82 s −1 .
T1 2 70.6 s

The 14
O nuclei remaining after five min is N = N 0 e − λ t = 10 10 e e j e
− 0.009 82 s −1 300 sja f = 5.26 × 10 8 .
The number of these in one cubic centimeter of blood is
F 1.00 cm I = e5.26 × 10 jF 1.00 cm I = 2 .63 × 10
3 3

GH total vol. of blood JK

N′ = N GH 2000 cm JK 8
3
5

and their activity is R = λ N ′ = e0.009 82 s je 2 .63 × 10 j = 2 .58 × 10 Bq ~ 10

−1 5 3 3
Bq .

10 4 MeV
P45.36 (a) The number of photons is = 9.62 × 10 3 . Since only 50% of the photons are
1.04 MeV
detected, the number of 65 Cu nuclei decaying is twice this value, or 1.92 × 10 4 . In two half-
3
lives, three-fourths of the original nuclei decay, so N 0 = 1.92 × 10 4 and N 0 = 2.56 × 10 4 . This
4
is 1% of the 65 Cu , so the number of 65 Cu is 2.56 × 10 6 ~ 10 6 .

(b) Natural copper is 69.17% 63 Cu and 30.83% 65 Cu . Thus, if the sample contains N Cu copper
atoms, the number of atoms of each isotope is
N 63 = 0.691 7 NCu and N 65 = 0.308 3 N Cu .
N 63 0.691 7 0.6917 FG 0.6917 IJ j FG IJ e
2 .56 × 10 6 = 5.75 × 10 6 .
Therefore, =
N 65 0.308 3
or N 63 =
0.3083 H
N 65 =
0.3083 K H K
The total mass of copper present is then m = b62 .93 ugN + a64.93 ufN
Cu 63 65 :

m = b62 .93ge5.75 × 10 j + a64.93fe 2 .56 × 10 j u e1.66 × 10

Cu
6
g uj
6 −24

= 8.77 × 10 −16 g ~ 10 −15 g

 Chapter 45 607
P45.37 (a) Starting with N = 0 radioactive atoms at t = 0 , the rate of increase is (production – decay)
dN
dt
= R−λN so dN = R − λ N dt . b g
The variables are separable.

z
N
dN
= dt : z
t
−
1 FG R − λ N IJ = t
λ H R K
ln
0
R − λN 0
FG R − λN IJ = −λ t FG R − λN IJ = e . −λ t
so ln
H R K and
H R K
λ R
Therefore, 1−
R
N = e−λ t N=
λ
e1 − e j .
−λ t

R
(b) The maximum number of radioactive nuclei would be .
λ

Additional Problems

P45.38 (a) Suppose each 235 U fission releases 208 MeV of energy. Then, the number of nuclei that
must have undergone fission is
total release 5 × 10 13 J
N= = = 1.5 × 10 24 nuclei .
energy per nuclei a
208 MeV 1.60 × 10 fe
−13
J MeV j
F 1.5 × 10 nuclei I b235 g molg ≈
24
(b) mass = GH 6.02 × 10 nuclei mol JK
23
0.6 kg

P45.39 (a) At 6 × 10 8 K , the average kinetic energy of a carbon atom is

3
2
a fe je j
k B T = 1.5 8.62 × 10 −5 eV K 6 × 10 8 K = 8 × 10 4 eV

Note that 6 × 10 8 K is about 6 2 = 36 times larger than 1.5 × 10 7 K , the core temperature of
the Sun. This factor corresponds to the higher potential-energy barrier to carbon fusion
compared to hydrogen fusion. It could be misleading to compare it to the temperature
~ 10 8 K required for fusion in a low-density plasma in a fusion reactor.

(b) The energy released is

e j e j e j
E = 2m C 12 − m Ne 20 − m He 4 c 2

b ga
E = 24.000 000 − 19.992 440 − 4.002 603 931.5 MeV = 4.62 MeV f
In the second reaction,
e j e
E = 2m C 12 − m Mg 24 j a931.5f MeV u
E = b 24.000 000 − 23.985 042 ga931.5 f MeV = 13.9 MeV

continued on next page

608 Applications of Nuclear Physics

(c) The energy released is the energy of reaction of the number of carbon nuclei in a 2.00-kg
sample, which corresponds to
F 23
mol I F 4.62 MeV fusion event I F I
e
∆E = 2.00 × 10 3 g jGH 6.02 ×1210.0 gatoms
mol K H 2 nuclei fusion event K H 2.25 × 10 MeV JK
J G J G 1 kWh
19

∆E =
e1.00 × 10 ja4.62f kWh = 1.03 × 10 kWh
26
7
2e 2.25 × 10 j 19

P45.40 To conserve momentum, the two fragments must move in opposite directions with speeds v1 and
v 2 such that

m1 v1 = m 2 v 2 or v2 =
FG m IJ v .
1
Hm K 2
1

The kinetic energies after the break-up are then

K 1 = 1 m1 v12 and K 2 = 1 m 2 v 22 = 1 m 2
FG IJ
m1
2
v12 =
FG m IJ K .
1
2 2 2 H K
m2 Hm K
2
1

K1 K1 m2
The fraction of the total kinetic energy carried off by m1 is = =
b
K 1 + K 2 K 1 + m1 m 2 K 1 g
m1 + m 2

m2 m1
and the fraction carried off by m 2 is 1− = .
m1 + m 2 m1 + m 2

*P45.41 (a) Q = 236.045 562u c 2 − 86.920 711u c 2 − 148.934 370 u c 2 = 0.190 481u c 2 = 177 MeV

Immediately after fission, this Q-value is the total kinetic energy of the fission products.

(b) K Br =
FG m IJ Q , from Problem 45.40.
La
Hm +m K
Br La

F 149 u IJ a177.4 MeVf = 112 MeV

=G
H 87 u + 149 u K
K La = Q − K Br = 177.4 MeV − 112.0 MeV = 65.4 MeV

(c) v Br =
2K Br
=
e je
2 112 × 10 6 eV 1.6 × 10 −19 J eV j=
1.58 × 10 m s 7
m Br a87 ufe1.66 × 10 kg uj
−27

2K La 2e65.4 × 10 eV je1.6 × 10
6
J eV j −19
6
v La = =
m La a149 ufe1.66 × 10 kg uj = 9.20 × 10 m s
−27
 Chapter 45 609
235
P45.42 For a typical U , Q = 208 MeV ; and the initial mass is 235 u. Thus, the fractional energy loss is
Q 208 MeV
= = 9.50 × 10 − 4 = 0.095 0% .
mc 2 a
235 u 931.5 MeV u fb g
For the D-T fusion reaction, Q = 17.6 MeV .
The initial mass is a f a
m = 2.014 u + 3.016 u = 5.03 u . f
Q 17.6 MeV
The fractional loss in this reaction is = = 3.75 × 10 − 3 = 0.375%
mc 2
a
5.03 u 931.5 MeV u fb g
0.375% 235
= 3.95 or the fractional loss in D - T is about 4 times that in U fission .
0.0950%

ln 2 ln 2
P45.43 The decay constant is λ = = = 1.78 × 10 −9 s −1 .
T1 2 b ge 7
12.3 yr 3.16 × 10 s yr j
The tritium in the plasma decays at a rate of
L O
j MMFGH 2.00cm× 10 IJK FGH 101 mcm IJK e50.0 m jPP
14 6 3
e
R = λ N = 1.78 × 10 − 9 s −1 3

N 3 3
Q
Bq = e1.78 × 10 Bq jG
F 1 Ci I = 482 Ci
R = 1.78 × 10 13
H 3.70 × 10 Bq JK
13
10
.

4 × 10 10 Ci
The fission inventory is ~ 10 8 times greater than this amount.
482 Ci

P45.44 Momentum conservation: 0 = m Li v Li + mα v α , or, m Li v Li = mα vα .

1 1 m Li v Li b g = bm v g = F m I v
2 2 2
Thus, K Li
2
2
= m Li v Li =
2 m Li 2m GH 2m JK α α

Li
α
Li
2
α

F b4.002 6 ug I F 2

=G
GH 2 b7.016 0 ug JJK H 9.25 × 10 m sK = a1.14 ufH 9.25 × 10 m sK
K Li I 6 F I2 6 2

= 1.14 e1.66 × 10 kg jFH 9.25 × 10 m sIK = 1.62 × 10

− 27 6 2 −13
K Li J = 1.01 MeV .

P45.45 The complete fissioning of 1.00 gram of U 235 releases

Q=
b1.00 g g e6.02 × 10 23
jb ge
atoms mol 200 MeV fission 1.60 × 10 −13 J MeV = 8.20 × 10 10 J . j
235 grams mol
If all this energy could be utilized to convert m kilograms of 20.0°C water to 400°C steam (see
Chapter 20 of text for values),
then Q = mc w ∆T + mL v + mc s ∆T

b ga f
Q = m 4186 J kg ° C 80.0 ° C + 2.26 × 10 6 J kg + 2010 J kg ° C 300 ° C . b ga f
10
8.20 × 10 J
Therefore m= = 2.56 × 10 4 kg .
3.20 × 10 6 J kg
610 Applications of Nuclear Physics

P45.46 When mass m of 235 U undergoes complete fission, releasing 200 MeV per fission event, the total
energy released is:
F m I N a200 MeVf where N
Q= GH 235 g mol JK A A is Avogadro’s number.

If all this energy could be utilized to convert a mass m w of liquid water at Tc into steam at Th , then,

b g
Q = m w c w 100° C − Tc + L v + c s Th − 100° C b g
where c w is the specific heat of liquid water, L v is the latent heat of vaporization, and c s is the
specific heat of steam. Solving for the mass of water converted gives

mw =
Q
=
a
mN A 200 MeV f .
b g
c w 100° C − Tc + L v + c s Th − 100° C b g b235 g molg c b100° C − T g + L
w c v b
+ c s Th − 100° C g
P45.47 (a) The number of molecules in 1.00 liter of water (mass = 1 000 g) is
F 1.00 × 10 g I 6.02 × 10
3
N= GH 18.0 g mol JK e 23
j
molecules mol = 3.34 × 10 25 molecules .

The number of deuterium nuclei contained in these molecules is

e
N ′ = 3.34 × 10 25 molecules j FGH 3300
1 deuteron I
J = 1.01 × 10
molecules K
22
deuterons .

Since 2 deuterons are consumed per fusion event, the number of events possible is
N′
= 5.07 × 10 21 reactions, and the energy released is
2

e jb
Efusion = 5.07 × 10 21 reactions 3.27 MeV reaction = 1.66 × 10 22 MeV g
Efusion = e1.66 × 10 22
je
MeV 1.60 × 10 −13 J MeV = 2.65 × 10 9 J . j
(b) In comparison to burning 1.00 liter of gasoline, the energy from the fusion of deuterium is
Efusion 2.65 × 10 9 J
= == 78.0 times larger .
Egasoline 3.40 × 10 7 J

P45.48 (a) ∆V = 4π r 2 ∆ r = 4π 14.0 × 10 3 m e j a0.05 mf = 1.23 × 10

2 8
m 3 ~ 10 8 m3

(b) The force on the next layer is determined by atmospheric pressure.

e je
W = P∆V = 1.013 × 10 5 N / m 2 1.23 × 10 8 m3 = 1.25 × 10 13 J ~ 10 13 J j
(c) 1.25 × 10 13 J =
1
10
b g
yield , so yield = 1.25 × 10 14 J ~ 10 14 J

1.25 × 10 14 J
(d) = 2.97 × 10 4 ton TNT ~ 10 4 ton TNT
4.2 × 10 9 J ton TNT

or ~ 10 kilotons
 Chapter 45 611
P45.49 (a) The thermal power transferred to the water is Pw = 0.970 waste heat a f
b g
Pw = 0.970 3 065 − 1 000 MW = 2 .00 × 10 9 J s
rw is the mass of water heated per hour:

rw =
Pwe=
2 .00 × 10 9 J s 3600 s h jb g
= 4.91 × 10 8 kg h .
a f b
c ∆T 4186 J kg ⋅° C 3.50 ° C ga f
4.91 × 10 8 kg h
The volume used per hour is = 4.91 × 10 5 m3 h .
1.00 × 10 3 kg m3

F 3 065 × 10 6
Js I F 1 kg I FG 3 600 s IJ =
(b) The 235
U fuel is consumed at a rate r f = GH 7.80 × 10 10 JG J
J g K H 1 000 g K H 1 h K
0.141 kg h .

210
P45.50 The number of nuclei in 0.155 kg of Po is
F 155 g I e6.02 × 10 j
N0 = GH 209.98 g mol JK 23
nuclei mol = 4.44 × 10 23 nuclei .

210
The half-life of Po is 138.38 days, so the decay constant is given by
ln 2 ln 2
λ= = = 5.80 × 10 −8 s −1 .
T1 2 a
138.38 d 8.64 × 10 4 s d fe j
The initial activity is

e je
R0 = λN 0 = 5.80 × 10 −8 s −1 4.44 × 10 23 nuclei = 2.58 × 10 16 Bq . j
210 206 4
The energy released in each 84 Po → 82 Pb + 2 He reaction is

Q = M 210 Po − M 206 Pb − M 4 He c 2 :
84 82 2

Q = 209.982 857 − 205.974 449 − 4.002 603 u 931.5 MeV u = 5.41 MeV . b g
Thus, assuming a conversion efficiency of 1.00%, the initial power output of the battery is

b g b ge jb
P = 0.010 0 R0Q = 0.010 0 2.58 × 10 16 decays s 5.41 MeV decay 1.60 × 10 −13 J MeV = 223 W . ge j
m F mI
=G J
1 3
F 70.0 kg I
=G
13

H 18.7 × 10 kg m JK
3
P45.51 (a) V= = , so = 0.155 m
ρ H ρK 3 3

(b) Add 92 electrons to both sides of the given nuclear reaction. Then it becomes
238 4 206
92 U atom → 8 2 He atom + 82 Pb atom + Q net .

Q net = M 238 U − 8 M 4 He − M 206 Pb c 2 = 238.050 783 − 8 4.002 603 − 205.974 449 u 931.5 MeV u
92 2 82
b g b g
Q net = 51.7 MeV

(c) If there is a single step of decay, the number of decays per time is the decay rate R and the
energy released in each decay is Q. Then the energy released per time is P = QR . If there
is a series of decays in steady state, the equation is still true, with Q representing the net
decay energy.

continued on next page

612 Applications of Nuclear Physics

(d) The decay rate for all steps in the radioactive series in steady state is set by the parent
uranium:
F 7.00 × 10 g I 6.02 × 10
4
N= GH 238 g mol JK e 23
j
nuclei mol = 1.77 × 10 26 nuclei

ln 2 ln 2 1
λ= = 9
= 1.55 × 10 −10
T1 2 4.47 × 10 yr yr
F Ie
1
j
GH
R = λ N = 1.55 × 10 − 10 JK
yr
1.77 × 10 26 nuclei = 2 .75 × 10 16 decays yr ,

F
P = QR = a51.7 MeV fG 2 .75 × 10
1 Ie j
so
H
16
yr JK
1.60 × 10 −13 J MeV = 2.27 × 10 5 J yr .

(e) dose in rem = dose in rad × RBE

b g b
5.00 rem yr = dose in rad yr 1.10 , giving dose in rad yr = 4.55 rad yr g
gFGH 10 1 radJ kg IJK =
−2
The allowed whole-body dose is then 70.0 kg 4.55 rad yr b gb 3.18 J yr .

P45.52 a
ET ≡ E thermal = f 3
2
k BT = 0.039 eV

FG 1 IJ n
FG 1 IJ e2.0 × 10 j .
n
6
ET =
H 2K E where n ≡ number of collisions, and 0.039 =
H 2K
Therefore, n = 25.6 = 26 collisions .

P45.53 Conservation of linear momentum and energy can be applied to find the kinetic energy of the
neutron. We first suppose the particles are moving nonrelativistically.
The momentum of the alpha particle and that of the neutron must add to zero, so their
velocities must be in opposite directions with magnitudes related by
m n v n + mα v α = 0 or b1.008 7 ugv = b4.002 6 ugv
n α.

At the same time, their kinetic energies must add to 17.6 MeV

E=
1
2
1
2
1
2
b 1
g b
mn vn2 + mα vα2 = 1.008 7 u vn2 + 4.002 6 vα2 = 17.6 MeV .
2
g
b g b g F I
Substitute vα = 0.252 0 vn : E = 0.504 35 u vn2 + 0.127 10 u vn2 = 17.6 MeV GH 931.4941 MeV
u
J
c K
2

0.018 9 c 2
vn = = 0.173 c = 5.19 × 10 7 m s.
0.631 45
Since this speed is not too much greater than 0.1c, we can get a reasonable estimate of the kinetic
energy of the neutron from the classical equation,

f FGH 931.494 uMeV c IJK = 14.1 MeV .

2
K=
1
2
1
b
mv 2 = 1.008 7 u 0.173 c
2
ga 2

continued on next page

 Chapter 45 613
For a more accurate calculation of the kinetic energy, we should use relativistic expressions.
Conservation of momentum gives
vn vα
γ n m n v n + γ α mα v α = 0 1.008 7 = 4.002 6
1− vn2 c 2
1 − vα2 c 2

vα2 vn2
yielding 2
= .
c 15.746 c − 14.746 vn2
2

Then bγ n g b g
− 1 mn c 2 + γ α − 1 mα c 2 = 17.6 MeV

and vn = 0.171 c , implying that γ n − 1 mn c 2 = 14.0 MeV .b g

32
P45.54 From Table A.3, the half-life of P is 14.26 d. Thus, the decay constant is
ln 2 ln 2
λ= = = 0.048 6 d −1 = 5.63 × 10 −7 s −1 .
T1 2 14. 26 d

R0 5.22 × 10 6 decay s
N0 = = = 9.28 × 10 12 nuclei
λ 5.63 × 10 −7 s −1
At t = 10.0 days , the number remaining is

e
N = N 0 e − λ t = 9.28 × 10 12 nuclei e j e jb
− 0 .048 6 d −1 10 . 0 d g = 5.71 × 10 12 nuclei

so the number of decays has been N 0 − N = 3.57 × 10 12 and the energy released is

e ja fe
E = 3.57 × 10 12 700 keV 1.60 × 10 −16 J keV = 0.400 J . j
If this energy is absorbed by 100 g of tissue, the absorbed dose is

F 0.400 J I F 1 rad I =
Dose = GH 0.100 kg JK GH 10 J kg JK−2
400 rad .

6.02 × 10 23 nuclei mol

P45.55 (a) The number of Pu nuclei in 1.00 kg =
239.05 g mol
1 000 g . b g
e
The total energy = 25.2 × 10 23 nuclei 200 MeV = 5.04 × 10 26 MeV ja f
e je
E = 5.04 × 10 26 MeV 4.44 × 10 −20 kWh MeV = 2.24 × 10 7 kWh j
or 22 million kWh.

(b) b
E = ∆m c 2 = 3.016 049 u + 2.014 102 u − 4.002 603 u − 1.008 665 u 931.5 MeV u gb g
E = 17.6 MeV for each D - T fusion

(c) a
En = Total number of D nuclei 17.6 4.44 × 10 −20 fa fe j
e
En = 6.02 × 10 23 jFGH 12.000 IJ a17.6fe4.44 × 10 j =
014 K
−20
2.34 × 10 8 kWh

continued on next page

614 Applications of Nuclear Physics

(d) En = the number of C atoms in 1.00 kg × 4.20 eV

F 6.02 × 10 I e4.20 × 10
26
je j
En = GH 12 JK −6
MeV 4.44 × 10 −20 = 9.36 kWh

(e) Coal is cheap at this moment in human history. We hope that safety and waste disposal
problems can be solved so that nuclear energy can be affordable before scarcity drives up
the price of fossil fuels.

P45.56 Add two electrons to both sides of the given reaction.

Then 4 11 H atom→ 24 He atom + Q
where a f b g b
Q = ∆m c 2 = 4 1.007 825 − 4.002603 u 931.5 MeV u = 26.7 MeV g
or Q = a 26.7 MeV fe1.60 × 10 −13
j
J MeV = 4.28 × 10 −12 J .

The proton fusion rate is then

power output 3.77 × 10 26 J s

rate = = = 3.53 × 10 38 protons s .
energy per proton e
4. 28 × 10 −12 J 4 protons jb g
P45.57 (a) QI = M A + M B − M C − M E c 2 , and QII = M C + M D − M F − M G c 2

Q net = QI + QII = M A + M B − M C − M E + M C + M D − M F − M G c 2

Q net = Q I + QII = M A + M B + M D − M E − M F − M G c 2
Thus, reactions may be added. Any product like C used in a subsequent reaction does not
contribute to the energy balance.

(b) Adding all five reactions gives

1
1H + 11 H+ −01 e+ 11 H+ 11 H+ 0 4
−1 e → 2 He + 2ν + Q net

or 4 11 H + 2 0 4
−1 e → 2 He + 2ν + Q net .

Adding two electrons to each side 4 11 H atom → 24 He atom + Q net .

Thus, b g b
Q net = 4M 1 H − M 4 He c 2 = 4 1.007 825 − 4.002 603 u 931.5 MeV u = 26.7 MeV .
1 2
g
 Chapter 45 615
L 4π F 1.50 × 10 I 3 OP
The mass of the pellet is m = ρV = e0.200 g cm jM G
−2
cm
P45.58 (a)
MN 3 H 2
3
JK PQ = 3.53 × 10
−7
g.

The pellet consists of equal numbers of 2 H and 3 H atoms, so the average molar mass is 2.50
and the total number of atoms is
F 3.53 × 10 g I 6.02 × 10
−7
N= GH 2 .50 g mol JK e 23
j
atoms mol = 8.51 × 10 16 atoms .

When the pellet is vaporized, the plasma will consist of 2Nparticles (N nuclei and N
electrons). The total energy delivered to the plasma is 1.00% of 200 kJ or 2.00 kJ. The
temperature of the plasma is found from E = 2 N 3 k B T as
2
a fe j
E 2 .00 × 10 3 J
T= = = 5.68 × 10 8 K .
e je
3 Nk B 3 8.51 × 10 16 1.38 × 10 − 23 J K j
N
(b) Each fusion event uses 2 nuclei, so events will occur. The energy released will be
2
FG N IJ Q = FG 8.51 × 10 16 I a17.59 MeVfe1.60 × 10
JK −13
j
J MeV = 1.20 × 10 5 J = 120 kJ .
E=
H 2K H 2
P45.59 (a) The solar-core temperature of 15 MK gives particles enough kinetic energy to overcome the
Coulomb-repulsion barrier to 11 H + 32 He → 24 He + e + + ν , estimated as e
k e 2e
. The
a fa f
r
Coulomb barrier to Bethe’s fifth and eight reactions is like e
k e 7e 7
, larger by times, so
a fa f
r 2
7 6
the required temperature can be estimated as 15 × 10 K ≈ 5 × 10 K .
2
7
e j
(b) For 12 C + 1 H → 13
N + Q,

b
Q1 = 12.000 000 + 1.007 825 − 13.005 739 931.5 MeV = 1.94 MeVga f
For the second step, add seven electrons to both sides to
have: 13 N atom → 13 C atom + e + + e − + Q

b
Q 2 = 13.005 739 − 13.003 355 − 2 0.000 549 931.5 MeV = 1.20 MeV ga f
b ga
Q3 = Q7 = 2 0.000 549 931.5 MeV = 1.02 MeV f
a f
Q 4 = 13.003 355 + 1.007 825 − 14.003 074 931.5 MeV = 7.55 MeV

Q5 = 14.003 074 + 1.007 825 − 15.003 065 a931.5 MeV f = 7.30 MeV

Q6 = 15.003 065 − 15.000 109 − 2b0.000 549 g a931.5 MeV f = 1.73 MeV

Q8 = 15.000 109 + 1.007 825 − 12 − 4.002 603 a931.5 MeV f = 4.97 MeV

The sum is 26.7 MeV , the same as for the proton-proton cycle.

(c) Not all of the energy released appears as internal energy in the star. When a neutrino is
created, it will likely fly directly out of the star without interacting with any other particle.
616 Applications of Nuclear Physics

I 2 I0 e− µ 2x
P45.60 (a) = = e −b µ 2 − µ 1 gx
I1 I 0 e − µ 1 x

= e − a5. 40 − 41.0 fa0.100 f = e 3.56 = 35.2

I 50
(b)
I 100

= e − a5. 40 − 41.0 fa1.00 f = e 35.6 = 2.89 × 10 15

I 50
(c)
I 100

Thus, a 1.00-cm aluminum plate has essentially removed the long-wavelength x-rays from
the beam.

*P45.61 (a) The number of fissions ocurring in the zeroth, first, second, … nth generation is
N0 , N0 K , N0 K 2 , … , N0 K n .
The total number of fissions that have ocurred up to and including the nth generation is

e
N = N0 + N0K + N0K 2 +…+ N0K n = N0 1 + K + K 2 +…+ K n . j
Note that the factoring of the difference of two squares, a 2
− 1 = a a + 1fa a − 1f , can be
generalized to a difference of two quantities to any power,

e ja f
a3 − 1 = a2 + a + 1 a − 1

e ja f
a n +1 − 1 = a n + a n − 1 + … + a 2 + a + 1 a − 1 .

K n +1 − 1
Thus K n + K n −1 + … + K 2 + K + 1 =
K −1
K n +1 − 1
and N = N0 .
K −1

(b) The number of U-235 nuclei is

FG 1 atomIJ FG 1 u I = 1.41 × 10
J 25
N = 5.50 kg
H 235 u K H 1.66 × 10 −27
kg K
nuclei .

We solve the equation from part (a) for n, the number of generations:
N
N0
a f
K − 1 = K n +1 − 1

N
N0
a f
K − 1 + 1 = Kn K af
n ln K = lnG
F N aK − 1f N + 1 IJ = lnFG NaK − 1f + 1IJ − ln K
0
H K K H N K 0

lnc N aK − 1f N + 1h 0
lne1.41 × 10 a0.1f 10 + 1j25 20

n= −1= − 1 = 99.2
ln K ln 1.1
Therefore time must be alotted for 100 generations:

e j
∆tb = 100 10 × 10 −9 s = 1.00 × 10 −6 s .

continued on next page

 Chapter 45 617

B 150 × 10 9 N m 2
(c) v= = = 2.83 × 10 3 m s
ρ 18.7 × 10 3
kg m 3

4 3 m
(d) V= πr =
3 ρ

F 3m IJ 13 F 3b5.5 kg g I 13

=G
r =G
H 4πρ K GH 4π e18.7 × 10 kg m j JJK
3 3
= 4.13 × 10 −2 m

r 4.13 × 10 −2 m
∆t d = = = 1.46 × 10 −5 s
v 2.83 × 10 3 m s

(e) 14.6 µs is greater than 1 µs , so the entire bomb can fission. The destructive energy released
is
F 200 × 10 eV I F 1.6 × 10 J I = 4.51 × 10
6 −19
FG 1 ton TNT IJ
1.41 × 10 25 nuclei GH fissioning nucleus JK GH 1 eV JK 14
J = 4.51 × 10 14 J
H 4.2 × 10 J K
9

= 1.07 × 10 5 ton TNT

= 107 kilotons of TNT

What if? If the bomb did not have an “initiator” to inject 10 20 neutrons at the moment when
the critical mass is assembled, the number of generations would be

n=
e a f
ln 1. 41 × 10 25 0.1 1 + 1 j − 1 = 582 requiring 583e10 × 10 sj = 5.83 µs .
−9
ln 1.1
This time is not very short compared with 14.6 µs , so this bomb would likely release much
less energy.

ANSWERS TO EVEN PROBLEMS

P45.2 184 MeV P45.18 (a) 2.53 × 10 31 J ; (b) 1.14 × 10 9 yr

P45.4 see the solution P45.20 (a) 10 14 cm −3 ; (b) 1.24 × 10 5 J m3 ;

(c) 1.77 T
P45.6 (a) 173 MeV ; (b) 0.078 8%
P45.22 12.4 h
P45.8 2.63 kg d
P45.24 (a) 10.0 h; (b) 3.16 m
P45.10 (a) 4.84V −1 3 ; (b) 6V −1 3 ; (c) 6.30V −1 3 ;
(d) the sphere has minimum loss and the P45.26 (a) 0.436 cm; (b) 5.79 cm
parallelepiped maximum
P45.28 2.39 × 10 −3 ° C
5
P45.12 2.68 × 10
P45.30 3.96 × 10 −4 J kg
P45.14 (a) 31.9 g h ; (b) 122 g h
P45.32 (a) 10; (b) 10 6 ; (c) 10 8 eV
2
P45.16 (a) 3.24 fm ; (b) 444 keV ; (c) vi ;
5 P45.34 4.45 × 10 −8 kg h
(d) 740 keV ; (e) possibly by tunneling
618 Applications of Nuclear Physics

P45.36 (a) ~ 10 6 ; (b) ~ 10 −15 g P45.48 (a) ~ 10 8 m 3 ; (b) ~ 10 13 J ; (c) ~ 10 14 J ;

(d) ~ 10 kilotons
P45.38 (a) 1.5 × 10 24 ; (b) 0.6 kg
P45.50 223 W
P45.40 see the solution
P45.52 26 collisions
P45.42 The fractional loss in D - T is about 4 times
235 P45.54 400 rad
that in U fission

P45.44 1.01 MeV P45.56 3.53 × 10 38 protons s

P45.46
a
mN A 200 MeV f P45.58 (a) 5.68 × 10 8 K ; (b) 120 kJ

b235 g molgLMM+c c b100

w °C − T g + L O
c
P v
P45.60 (a) see the solution; (b) 35.2 ; (c) 2.89 × 10 15
N bT − 100° Cg PQ
s h