Question

An unknown element, X, has an atomic mass of 107.868 amu. The X-109 isotope (108.905 amu) is 48.16%. What is the amu of the other isotope (report final answer to the correct number of significant figures)

Answer 1

Answer:

106.905 amu is the mass of the other isotope

Explanation:

The atomic mass of an element is the sum of the masses of the isotopes multiplied by its abundance. The atomic mass of an element X with 2 isotopes is:

X = X-109*i + X-107*i

Where X is the atomic mass = 107.868 amu

X-109 = 108.905amu, i = 48.16% = 0.4816

X-107 = ?, i = 1-0.4816 = 0.5184

Replacing:

107.868amu = 108.905amu*0.4816 + X-107*0.5184

55.4194 = X-107*0.5184

106.905 = X-107

106.905 amu is the mass of the other isotope