Question

Calculate the energy equivalence of unified atomic mass unit. 
 

Hint:

The energy equivalent of an atomic mass unit can be found using \( E = mc^2 \), where \( m \) is the mass in kg and \( c \) is the speed of light.

Answer 1

The energy equivalence of 1 unified atomic mass unit (1 amu) can be calculated using the relation: \[ E = mc^2, \] where \( m \) is the mass of 1 amu, and \( c \) is the speed of light. The value of 1 amu is approximately: \[ m = 1.660539 \times 10^{-27} \, \text{kg}. \] Substituting the values: \[ E = \left( 1.660539 \times 10^{-27} \, \text{kg} \right) \times (3 \times 10^8 \, \text{m/s})^2 = 1.492 \times 10^{-10} \, \text{J}. \] So, 1 amu is equivalent to \( 1.492 \times 10^{-10} \, \text{J} \).