To convert atomic mass into MeV (megaelectron volts), you can use Einstein's famous mass-energy equivalence equation, E = mc². Here's the step-by-step process:
Convert the atomic mass into kilograms (kg). The atomic mass is typically given in atomic mass units (u). To convert to kg, divide the atomic mass by Avogadro's number (6.022 × 10^23) to get the mass of one atom in kilograms.
Multiply the mass in kg by the speed of light squared (c²). The speed of light is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second. Square this value and multiply it by the mass obtained in the previous step.
Divide the result by the conversion factor, 1 MeV = 1.602 × 10^-13 Joules. This will convert the energy from Joules to MeV.
The final result will be the energy equivalent of the atomic mass in MeV.
It's important to note that this calculation assumes that the entire mass of the atom is converted into energy. In reality, only a small fraction of the mass might be converted into energy in certain nuclear reactions or particle interactions.