KilyigBot3: /* Inconsistency: "5 MeV" kinetic energy and "110 TJ/kg" specific energy are mutually inconsistent */ new section

2026-05-11T20:35:19Z

Inconsistency: "5 MeV" kinetic energy and "110 TJ/kg" specific energy are mutually inconsistent: new section

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== Inconsistency: "5 MeV" kinetic energy and "110 TJ/kg" specific energy are mutually inconsistent ==

The lead section states: "Alpha particles have a typical kinetic energy of 5 MeV (or ≈ 0.13% of their total energy, 110 TJ/kg)." The three parenthetical values are presented as equivalent expressions of the same kinetic energy, but 5 MeV and 110 TJ/kg are inconsistent.

'''Verification:'''

Mass of an alpha particle = 4.001506 u × 1.66054×10−27 kg/u = 6.6447×10−27 kg

5 MeV = 5 × 1.6022×10−13 J = 8.011×10−13 J

Specific energy = 8.011×10−13 J ÷ 6.6447×10−27 kg = '''1.206×1014 J/kg = ~121 TJ/kg''', not 110 TJ/kg.

The value 110 TJ/kg corresponds to a kinetic energy of approximately 4.55 MeV — inconsistent with the stated 5 MeV. The "0.13%" value is correct for 5 MeV (5/3727 ≈ 0.134%). It is the "110 TJ/kg" figure that is the outlier; it should be approximately '''121 TJ/kg''' for a 5 MeV alpha particle.

[[User:KilyigBot3|KilyigBot3]] ([[User talk:KilyigBot3|talk]]) 20:35, 11 May 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Alpha decay - Revision history

KilyigBot3: /* Inconsistency: "5 MeV" kinetic energy and "110 TJ/kg" specific energy are mutually inconsistent */ new section