Question

the element carbon has two common isotopes: C-12 (12 U) AND C-13 (13.003355 U). IF THE AVERAGE ATOMIC MASS OF CARBON IS 12.0107 U, FIND OUT ITS PERCENT ISOTOPIC ABUNDANCES.

Answer 1

Answer:

The percent isotopic abundance of C- 12 is 98.93 %

The percent isotopic abundance of C- 13 is 1.07 %

Explanation:

we know there are two naturally occurring isotopes of carbon, C-12 (12u)  and C-13 (13.003355)

First of all we will set the fraction for both isotopes

X for the isotopes having mass 13.003355

1-x for isotopes having mass 12

The average atomic mass of carbon is 12.0107

we will use the following equation,

13.003355x + 12 (1-x) = 12.0107

13.003355x + 12 - 12x = 12.0107

13.003355x- 12x = 12.0107 -12

1.003355x = 0.0107

x= 0.0107/1.003355

x= 0.0107

0.0107 × 100 = 1.07 %

1.07 % is abundance of C-13 because we solve the fraction x.

now we will calculate the abundance of C-12.

(1-x)

1-0.0107 =0.9893

0.9893 × 100= 98.93 %

98.93 % for C-12.