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The atomic masses shown on the Periodic Table and listed in chemistry textbooks are "weighted" averages of all the naturally occurring isotopes for the particular element in question. The higher the abundance of a particular isotope, the more that isotope contributes to the overall weighted average - that is, to the Atomic Mass on the Periodic Table. Since hydrogen's Atomic Mass is 1.00 794 atomic mass units, it is clear that the Hydrogen-1 isotope is the most abundant of the three naturally occurring isotopes of hydrogen: protium, deuterium, and tritium. Protium makes up far more than 99% of any naturally occurring sample of hydrogen with deuterium (1 proton and 1 neutron) making up almost all of the rest. Tritium (1 proton and 2 neutrons) is typically present only in trace amounts.

To determine the average atomic mass, the masses of the individual isotopes and their relative abundances are measured using a mass spectrometer. Then the fractional abundance is multiplied by the measured isotopic mass for each isotope and the products of these multiplications are then added together to give the recorded atomic mass on the Periodic Table.

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Eloise Upton

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Europium has a mass of 150.9196amu and a mass of m152.9209amu the average atomic mass of Eu is 151.96amu calculate the relative abundance of the two europium isotopes?

Let x represent the relative abundance of the isotope with mass 150.9196 amu and 1-x represent the relative abundance of the other isotope with mass 152.9209 amu. The average atomic mass formula is [(mass isotope 1)(abundance isotope 1) + (mass isotope 2)(abundance isotope 2)] = average atomic mass. Substituting the values given, you can set up a system of equations and solve for x to find the relative abundance of each isotope.


How do you calculate the average relative atomic mass of neon?

To calculate the relative atomic mass of an element (which is by its definition an average), you need the mass number and relative abundance of each isotope present. Suppose we have the following data from the mass spectrometer: first isotope mn X, abundance A% second isotope mn Y, abundance B% third isotope mn Z, abundance C%. Then ram = (A/100 x X) + (B/100 x Y) + (C/100 x Z) If there are more than 3 isotopes, just do the same for each one and add all the expressions together.


What does the word weighted mean in the definition of relative atomic mass?

In the definition of relative atomic mass, the term "weighted" refers to the consideration of the abundance of each isotope of an element when calculating its average atomic mass. Instead of simply averaging the masses of all isotopes, the relative atomic mass is determined by multiplying the mass of each isotope by its relative abundance, then summing these values and dividing by the total abundance. This ensures that isotopes that are more prevalent in nature have a greater influence on the final average atomic mass.


How is average atomic mass determined from isotopic masses?

The atomic mass that you see on the periodic table is an average mass taken from all of the element's known isotopes. Simply find the average of all of the masses of the isotopes of an element.


What is the difference between mass number relative atomic mass and average atomic mass?

The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Relative atomic mass is the weighted average mass of all the isotopes of an element, taking into account their natural abundance. Average atomic mass is the weighted average mass of an element's isotopes in a given sample, considering their abundance in that sample.

Related Questions

What is the significance of relative abundance in chemistry and how does it impact the analysis of chemical compounds?

Relative abundance in chemistry refers to the proportion of different isotopes of an element present in a sample. It is significant because it affects the average atomic mass of an element. When analyzing chemical compounds, the relative abundance of isotopes must be considered to accurately determine the molecular weight and composition of the compound. This is important for various applications in chemistry, such as identifying unknown substances and studying reaction mechanisms.


Europium has a mass of 150.9196amu and a mass of m152.9209amu the average atomic mass of Eu is 151.96amu calculate the relative abundance of the two europium isotopes?

Let x represent the relative abundance of the isotope with mass 150.9196 amu and 1-x represent the relative abundance of the other isotope with mass 152.9209 amu. The average atomic mass formula is [(mass isotope 1)(abundance isotope 1) + (mass isotope 2)(abundance isotope 2)] = average atomic mass. Substituting the values given, you can set up a system of equations and solve for x to find the relative abundance of each isotope.


The relative abundance of each isotope of an element determines its?

The relative abundance of each isotope of an element is used to determine its atomic mass. This is the weighted average of all naturally occurring isotopes.


How do you calculate the average relative atomic mass of neon?

To calculate the relative atomic mass of an element (which is by its definition an average), you need the mass number and relative abundance of each isotope present. Suppose we have the following data from the mass spectrometer: first isotope mn X, abundance A% second isotope mn Y, abundance B% third isotope mn Z, abundance C%. Then ram = (A/100 x X) + (B/100 x Y) + (C/100 x Z) If there are more than 3 isotopes, just do the same for each one and add all the expressions together.


What does the word weighted mean in the definition of relative atomic mass?

In the definition of relative atomic mass, the term "weighted" refers to the consideration of the abundance of each isotope of an element when calculating its average atomic mass. Instead of simply averaging the masses of all isotopes, the relative atomic mass is determined by multiplying the mass of each isotope by its relative abundance, then summing these values and dividing by the total abundance. This ensures that isotopes that are more prevalent in nature have a greater influence on the final average atomic mass.


How is average atomic mass determined from isotopic masses?

The atomic mass that you see on the periodic table is an average mass taken from all of the element's known isotopes. Simply find the average of all of the masses of the isotopes of an element.


What is the weight average molecular weight of the compound in question?

The weight average molecular weight of the compound is the average of the molecular weights of all the molecules in the sample, weighted by their relative abundance.


Which value of an element is calculated using both the mass and relative abundance of each of the naturally occurring isotopes of this element?

The weighted average atomic mass of an element is calculated using both the mass and relative abundance of each naturally occurring isotope of the element. This value represents the average mass of an atom taking into account the contribution of each isotope based on its abundance.


What is the difference between mass number relative atomic mass and average atomic mass?

The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Relative atomic mass is the weighted average mass of all the isotopes of an element, taking into account their natural abundance. Average atomic mass is the weighted average mass of an element's isotopes in a given sample, considering their abundance in that sample.


How is the atomic mass for chlorine related to isotopes for that atom?

The average atomic mass is weighted by the most common isotopes and their relative abundance.


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)


If an element has three isotopes with known masses what information is needed to find the average atomic mass of the element?

You would need to know the abundance of each isotope to find the average atomic mass of the element. The average atomic mass is calculated by multiplying the mass of each isotope by its relative abundance and then summing these values together.