answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The type of element is decided by the number of protons in it's nucleus. Number of neutrons are either equal or more than number of protons. Mass of proton and neutron is almost equal and that of electron is almost negligible as compared to both of others. As number of neutrons differ, mass of the elements also differ. Though they have 'same' chemical properties. Such atoms with different mass are called Isotopes. If the number of neutron is more, then such Isotopes are having more mass (or weight.)

User Avatar

Vada Boyer

Lvl 13
1y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

The type of element is decided by the number of protons in it's nucleus. Number of neutrons are either equal or more than number of protons. Mass of proton and neutron is almost equal and that of electron is almost negligible as compared to both of others. As number of neutrons differ, mass of the elements also differ. Though they have 'same' chemical properties. Such atoms with different mass are called Isotopes. If the number of neutron is more, then such Isotopes are having more mass (or weight.)

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago

It depends on their relative abundance in the universe.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why are some isotopes weighted more heavily than others?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What are some isotopes more heavily weighted than other?

Isotopes contain a different number of neutrons.


Why is it important to use a weighted average when determining the average atomic mass of your element?

It is important to use a weighted average because different isotopes of an element have different atomic masses due to the presence of different numbers of neutrons. The abundance of each isotope also varies, meaning some isotopes are more common than others. By using a weighted average, the more abundant isotopes have a greater contribution to the overall average atomic mass of the element, providing a more accurate representation.


Why do elements which exists as isotopes have fractional atomic mass?

Each isotope of an element has a different Atomic Mass, so an average is taken of all the isotopes, but the average is weighted because the natural abundance (%) of each isotope is factored in. If hydrogen-1 is much more abundant than deuterium and tritium, then the weighted average will be closer to 1 than 2 or 3 but not a whole number. The following equation shows how percent abundance factors into the weighted average. (atomic mass A)(X% abundance) + (atomic mass B)(Y% abundance)...=(weighted average of all isotopes of the element)(100% abundance)


Where does the 0.5 in chlorine's atomic mass come from?

The atomic mass of chlorine is a weighted average of the masses of all its naturally occurring isotopes, taking into account their abundance. Chlorine has two main isotopes, chlorine-35 (with an atomic mass of approximately 34.97) and chlorine-37 (with an atomic mass of approximately 36.97). The 0.5 difference in the atomic mass comes from the relative abundance of these isotopes in nature.


What is an isotope and why are atomic masses usually in decimal form?

An isotope is a variant of the atom with the same number of protons but more or fewer neutrons. The atomic mass is an average of the isotopes of the element. The average is weighted according to the relative abundance of such isotopes.

Related questions

What are some isotopes more heavily weighted than other?

Isotopes contain a different number of neutrons.


Why is it important to use a weighted average when determining the average atomic mass of your element?

It is important to use a weighted average because different isotopes of an element have different atomic masses due to the presence of different numbers of neutrons. The abundance of each isotope also varies, meaning some isotopes are more common than others. By using a weighted average, the more abundant isotopes have a greater contribution to the overall average atomic mass of the element, providing a more accurate representation.


What is the weighted average of the isotope bromine?

Bromine's average eight is 79.904 is the answer in my reference, with more than 20 isotopes.


Why do elements which exists as isotopes have fractional atomic mass?

Each isotope of an element has a different Atomic Mass, so an average is taken of all the isotopes, but the average is weighted because the natural abundance (%) of each isotope is factored in. If hydrogen-1 is much more abundant than deuterium and tritium, then the weighted average will be closer to 1 than 2 or 3 but not a whole number. The following equation shows how percent abundance factors into the weighted average. (atomic mass A)(X% abundance) + (atomic mass B)(Y% abundance)...=(weighted average of all isotopes of the element)(100% abundance)


Where does the 0.5 in chlorine's atomic mass come from?

The atomic mass of chlorine is a weighted average of the masses of all its naturally occurring isotopes, taking into account their abundance. Chlorine has two main isotopes, chlorine-35 (with an atomic mass of approximately 34.97) and chlorine-37 (with an atomic mass of approximately 36.97). The 0.5 difference in the atomic mass comes from the relative abundance of these isotopes in nature.


When a weighted average is taken this means that some numbers are what?

More important than others.


How do you get weighted mean?

A weighted mean is when some values contribute more than others. In order to calculate weighted mean multiply each weight by its value, add those and then divide by the sum of the weights.


What is the degree of comprison for the underlined words some people sleep more heavily than others?

The underlined word "more heavily" is in the comparative degree. It is comparing the sleeping heaviness of some people to others.


What is an isotope and why are atomic masses usually in decimal form?

An isotope is a variant of the atom with the same number of protons but more or fewer neutrons. The atomic mass is an average of the isotopes of the element. The average is weighted according to the relative abundance of such isotopes.


Some people sleep more heavily than others?

comparative


If 85 percent of a grade is 80 and the other 15 percent is 91 what is the final grade?

You have what's known as a weighted average. The 80 score is weighted more heavily than the 91 score, so the weighted average will be closer to 80 than a non-weighted average. 0.85 x 80 = 68 0.15 x 91 = 13.65 68 + 13.65 = 81.65


Why is it that some isotopes of an element are able to exist indefinitely?

Some isotypes are more stable than others. Decay occurs because of instability in isotopes, so stable isotopes do not undergo radioactive decay.