Chapter 4, Problem 55A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : The data about the isotopes of an element that should be known to calculate the atomic mass of the element is to be interpreted.

Concept Introduction : The weighted average mass of the atoms in a naturally occurring sample of an element is the atomic mass. Atoms that have various numbers of neutrons and different masses but the same number of protons are called isotopes.

Answer to Problem 55A

The natural percent abundance of the isotopes of an element should be known to calculate the atomic mass of the element.

Explanation of Solution

The weighted average mass of the atoms in a naturally occurring sample of an element is the atomic mass.

Atoms that have various numbers of neutrons and different masses but the same number of protons are called isotopes.

The formula to calculate the atomic mass is given as:

  $\text{Atomic mass}\text{=}\text{Isotope}\text{mass number}\times \text{Natural percent abundance}$

To calculate the atomic mass, the data of the natural percent abundance of the isotopes of the element should be known.