The element chlorine has an atomic weight of 35.5 and consists of two stable isotopes chlorine-35 and chlorine-37. The isotope chlorine-35 has a mass of 35.0 amu and a percent natural abundance of 75.5 %. The isotope chlorine-37 has a percent natural abundance of 24.5 %. What is the mass of chlorine-37? amu

The answer is 37amu

Explanation:

We are given:

Chlorine-35: atomic mass = 35 amu and percent abundance = 75.5% ≡ 0.755

Chlorine-37: atomic mass = x amu and percent abundance = 24.5% ≡ 0.25

From table, relative atomic mass of Chlorine is 35.5

⇒ (0.755 * 35) + (24.5 * x) = 35.5

26.402 + 24.5x = 35.5

∴ x = 9.075 : 24.5 = 0.37 ≡ 37.

∴ mass of Chlorine 37 = 37amu

The mass of Chlorine-37 is 37.04amu.

Explanation:

To calculate the atomic mass of a element with two isotopes we use:

(%abundance * mass) of chlorine-35 + (%abundance * mass) of chlorine-37 = atomic mass

Since the atomic mass has been given, we can equate the values as shown below and calculate:

(75.5/100 * 35) + (24.5/100 * Y) = 35.5

(0.755 * 35) + (24.5Y / 100) = 35.5

26.425 + 24.5Y / 100 = 5.5

24.5Y / 100 = 35.5 - 26.425

24.5Y/100 = 9.075

24.5Y = 9.075 * 100

24.5Y = 907.5

Y = 907.5 / 24.5

Y = 37.04amu

The mass of Chlorine-37 is 37.04amu.