Answer to Question #294083 in Atomic and Nuclear Physics for Damola

Question

The Q value of the Na23 (n,α) F20 reaction is -5.4MeV. Determine the threshold energy of the neutrons for this reaction (22.9898u, 18.9964u, 4.0039u, 1.008665u are the masses of Na23, F20 α and n respectively).

Answer 1

$^{23}Na+^1n\to^{20}F+^4He,$

$Q=\Delta E=(22.9898+1.008665-19.9964-4.0039)c^2=-5.3~MeV.$