Average Atomic Mass

Front

What is Average Atomic Mass?

Back

The weighted average of the masses of an element's isotopes, taking into account their relative abundance.

Front

How do you calculate Average Atomic Mass?

Back

Multiply the mass of each isotope by its relative abundance (as a decimal), then sum these values.

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Front

What is the significance of relative abundance in calculating average atomic mass?

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Relative abundance indicates how common each isotope is, affecting the overall average mass.

Front

If an isotope has a mass of 10 amu and makes up 50% of the sample, what is its contribution to the average atomic mass?

Back

5 amu (10 amu * 0.50).

Front

What is the average atomic mass of an element with two isotopes: 75 amu (25% abundance) and 76 amu (75% abundance)?

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75.75 amu (0.25*75 + 0.75*76).

Front

What does amu stand for?

Back

Atomic Mass Unit, a standard unit of mass that quantifies mass on an atomic or molecular scale.

Front

How can you identify isotopes of an element?

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By comparing their mass numbers, which is the sum of protons and neutrons.

Front

What is the mass number of an isotope?

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The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

Front

What is the difference between an element and an isotope?

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An element is defined by its number of protons, while isotopes are variations of the same element with different neutron counts.