To answe this question, we will assume that the percentage abundance of 14n is y. Since the percentage abundance of 14n + percentage abundance of 15n = 100% = 1 Therefore, percentage abundance of 15n = 1 - y.
Now we know that the average atomic mass of nitrogen is 14.0067 Therefore: average atomic mass of nitrogen = atomic mass of 14n x its percentage abundance + atomic mass of 14n x its percentage abundance 14.0067 = 14.003074002 y + <span>15.00010897 (1 - y) </span>14.0067 = 14.003074002 y + 15.00010897 - 15.00010897 y 14.0067 - 15.00010897 = 14.003074002 y - 15.00010897 y <span>0.99703497 y = 0.99340897 </span> Therefore y = <span> 0.99636
Based on this, the percentage abundance of 14n is </span> 0.99636x100= <span>99.636% while percentage abundance of 15n = 100% - </span>99.636% = <span>0.364%</span>
All other elements react with other elements to form compounds. In the special case where the reaction produces fixed numbers of the same types of atoms in exactly the same configuration, we say the elements have formed a molecule.
