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Multiple Choice
A naturally occurring sample of an element contains only two isotopes. The first isotope has a mass of 68.9255 amu and a natural abundance of 60.11%. The second isotope has a mass of 70.9247 amu. Determine the atomic mass of the element.
A
68.50 amu
B
69.72 amu
C
69.00 amu
D
70.00 amu
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the atomic mass of an element is the weighted average of the masses of its isotopes, based on their natural abundances.
Convert the percentage of natural abundance of the first isotope to a decimal by dividing by 100. For the first isotope, 60.11% becomes 0.6011.
Calculate the contribution of the first isotope to the atomic mass by multiplying its mass (68.9255 amu) by its decimal abundance (0.6011). Use the formula: .
Determine the natural abundance of the second isotope by subtracting the first isotope's abundance from 1 (since the total abundance must equal 100%). This gives 0.3989 for the second isotope.
Calculate the contribution of the second isotope to the atomic mass by multiplying its mass (70.9247 amu) by its decimal abundance (0.3989). Add the contributions from both isotopes to find the atomic mass of the element using the formula: .