Nuclear reactions and the Q-value

Compute Q from atomic masses for fusion, decay and an endothermic reaction; see how the energy is shared and the threshold energy.

About this experiment

What you do in the lab

Change the controls and watch the physics behave in real time in 3D. Live readouts and graphs show the numbers behind it, and the Learn tab has the theory, procedure, observations and viva questions. Works on a phone or a laptop, in English and Hindi.

Topics: Q value · mass defect · nuclear reaction · threshold

More from this chapter

• Binding energy per nucleon curve
• Carbon dating and the two-stage decay chain
• Nuclear fission chain reaction and fusion
• Alpha, beta, gamma penetration and a Geiger counter
• Radioactive decay law and half-life