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Ch.20 - Radioactivity and Nuclear Chemistry
Chapter 20, Problem 65

If 1.0 g of matter is converted to energy, how much energy is formed?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Einstein's Mass-Energy Equivalence

Einstein's mass-energy equivalence principle, expressed by the equation E=mc², states that mass can be converted into energy. In this equation, E represents energy, m is mass, and c is the speed of light in a vacuum (approximately 3.00 x 10^8 m/s). This principle underlies nuclear reactions and explains how a small amount of mass can yield a large amount of energy.
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Energy to Mass Conversion

Unit Conversion

In chemistry and physics, unit conversion is essential for accurately calculating quantities. When converting mass to energy using E=mc², it is crucial to ensure that the mass is in kilograms (kg) since the speed of light is in meters per second (m/s). For example, 1.0 g of matter must be converted to kilograms (1.0 g = 0.001 kg) before applying the equation.
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Conversion Factors

Energy Units

Energy is commonly measured in joules (J) in the International System of Units (SI). Understanding how to express energy in joules is important when calculating the energy produced from mass conversion. For instance, using E=mc² with the correct mass in kilograms will yield the energy in joules, allowing for a clear understanding of the energy produced from the conversion of matter.
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