SPM Physics:AHA! Nuclear Challenge: Mass Defect Reveals Energy!

 

Alpha decay isn’t just about particles flying out — it’s about energy and mass defect. This comic shows the scoring path:

• Parent nucleus: Uranium‑238.

• Daughter nucleus: Thorium‑234.

• Alpha particle: Helium nucleus.

• Energy released:
  $6.848\times {10}^{-13}\text{J}$
  .

The exam clue: when energy is given, don’t ignore it. First calculate the mass defect using

$\mathrm{\Delta }m=\frac{E}{c^2}$

. Then add it to the product mass to find the original parent mass.

AHA! Mass defect unlocks energy. Not by sight, but by INSIGHT!

#AHAPhysicsMoments #CikguLimCY #PhysicsInEverydayLife #100DaysOfPhysics #SeeWithPhysicsEyes #PhysicsWithInsight