Question

A hypothetical element consists of two isotopes of masses 86.95amu and 88.95amu with abundances of 35.5% and 64.5% respectively. What iis the average atomic mass of this element

Answer 1

Answer: The average atomic mass of the element = 88.242amu

Explanation:

The abundance of the first isotope is =35.5%

 Atomic mass of first isotope = 68.9257

The average atomic mass of the first isotope =86.95amu X 35.5%  =86.95amu X 0.355 =30.8725 amu

The abundance of the second isotope =64.5%

Atomic mass of the second isotope =88.95amu

The average atomic mass of second isotope =88.95amu x 64.5% = 88.95amu x 0.645= 57.37275 amu

Now the average atomic mass =30.8725 +57.37275 = 88.242amu

OR using the formulae

Average atomic mass = [mass of isotope× its abundance] + [mass of isotope× its abundance] +...[ ] / 100

{(86.95amu X 35.5 )+(88.95amu x 64.5)}/100

8,824/100

=88.24amu