Q-value of a nuclear reaction or decay (Q = (Σm_initial − Σm_final) c²)
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Q = (Σm_initial − Σm_final) c²
What each symbol means
| Symbol | What it stands for |
|---|---|
| Q | Energy released to kinetic energy of products (if positive) |
| c | Speed of light |
| m | Rest masses with consistent convention (atomic or nuclear) |
When to use this
Closed system; neglect small electron binding differences unless stated; products excited states reduce Q if not accounted.