Question

Suppose that a newly discovered element called centium has 3 isotopes that occure in nature. These are centium -200, centium -203, and centium -209. Assume that these isotopes occur in equal amounts in nature. What will be the average atomic mass of this element????
I'm super confused

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer to your question is 203.8 g

Explanation:

Data

Average atomic mass = ?

Centium-200

Centium-203

Centium-209

Equal amounts

Process

1.- Determine the abundance of each isotope.

If they are in equal amounts in nature, just divide 100 by 3

             100/3 = 33.33 % or 0.333

2.- Determine the Average atomic mass

Average atomic mass = Atomic mass 1 x abundance + Atomic mass 2 x

                                        abundance + Atomic mass 3 x abundance

- Substitution

Average atomic mass = 200 x 0.333 + 203 x 0.333 + 209 x 0.333

- Simplification

Average atomic mass = 66.6 + 67.6 + 69.6

Result

Average atomic mass = 203.8 g