| Date | May 2017 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 17M.3.hl.TZ1.18 |
| Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ1 |
| Command term | Determine | Question number | 18 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Carbon is produced by fusion reactions in stars.
The main fusion reaction responsible for the production of carbon is:
X + \(_2^4{\text{He}} \to _{\;6}^{12}{\text{C}}\)
The mass of X is 8.005305 amu and that of \(_2^4{\text{He}}\) is 4.002603 amu. Determine the energy produced, in J, when one atom of \(_{\;6}^{12}{\text{C}}\) is formed in this reaction. Use section 2 of the data booklet.
Markscheme
loss in mass = «8.005305 amu + 4.002603 amu – 12.000000 amu =» 0.007908 «amu»
= «0.007908 amu x 1.66 x 10–27 kg amu–1 =» 1.313 x 10–29 «kg»
E = «mc2 = 1.313 x 10–29 kg x (3.00 x 108 m\(\,\)s–1)2 =» 1.18 x 10–12 «J»
Award [3] for correct final answer.
[3 marks]
Examiners report
[N/A]
