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Average Atomic Mass. In nature, most elements are a mixture of different isotopes The mass of a sample of an element is a weighted average of all the isotopes in the sample. _________________________. AVERAGE atomic mass. If 12.011 is the weighted average of the isotope masses,
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Average Atomic Mass • In nature, most elements are a mixture of different isotopes • The mass of a sample of an element is a weighted average of all the isotopes in the sample
_________________________ AVERAGE atomic mass If 12.011 is the weighted average of the isotope masses, which isotope is more abundant in nature: C-12 or C-14?
Calculating Average Atomic Mass • The element Chlorine Cl has two naturally occurring isotopes: Cl-35 and Cl-37 • Which isotope has more neutrons? • How many more neutrons?
Calculating Average Atomic Mass • If 75% of all chlorine atoms in nature are Cl-35 and 25 % are Cl-37, what is the average atomic mass of a sample of chlorine? *** Remember, this is a weighted average!
Calculating Average Atomic Mass • Out of 100 chlorine atoms, 75 will have a mass of 35 amu. • 25 will have a mass of 37 amu
Calculating Average Atomic Mass • The unweighted average of 35 and 37 is… • 36 • This is NOT our answer!
Calculating Average Atomic Mass • The weighted average is calculated using the following formula (memorize this!) (mass of isotope A x %) + (mass isotope B x %) 100
Calculating Average Atomic Mass (mass of isotope A x %) + (mass isotope B x %) 100 (35 amu x 75) + (37 amu x 25) = 100 35.5 amu
(mass of isotope A x %) + (mass isotope B x %) 100 Try this one: Cu-63 is 69.17% of all copper atoms Cu-65 is 30.83% Is the average atomic mass of Cu 64 amu? NO! Will the weighted average be closer to 63 amu or 65 amu? WHY? Now calculate the average atomic mass using the formula
(63 amu x 69.17) + (65 amu x 30.83) 100 = 63.61 amu