Q values

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For other definitions, see Q value

In nuclear physics and chemistry, the Q value for a reaction is the amount of energy released by that reaction:

A reaction with a positive Q value is exothermic ie. has a net release of energy, whilst a reaction with a negative Q value is endothermic ie. requires a net energy input.

Q values also feature in particle physics, for example in Sargent's rule, which states that the reaction rate of weak interactions is proportional to Q⁵.