A free neutron undergoes beta-decay to a proton, having a half-life of 14 minutes . Calculate the energy liberated during this process.

Step-by-step solution

The beta-decay of a free neutron is represented by the equation: n p + e⁻ + _ e The energy liberated ( Q -value) during this process is given by the mass defect: Q = (m_ n - m_ p - m_ e )c² Using the standard rest mass energies: Rest mass energy of neutron, m_ n c² = 939.565 MeV Rest mass energy of proton, m_ p c² = 938.272 MeV Rest mass energy of electron, m_ e c² = 0.511 MeV Substituting these values: Q = 939.565 - 938.272 - 0.511 Q = 0.782 MeV Q = 782 keV The half-life of 14 minutes is extra information not requ