Is AVERAGE
of all isotope
masses. 1 u = 1/12 of a
Carbon-12
nucleus
Unit is unified
atomic mass
units (u)
Average Atomic Mass
Mass Number vs. Average Atomic Mass
Mass number is a counting
number of protons and neutrons
in a given isotope of an element.
The average atomic mass is a
weighted average based on the
relative natural abundances of
each isotope for a given
element.
How can that decimal number be grams
per mole and unified atomic mass units?
It’s not a coincidence. Consider Carbon-12.
How many atoms of carbon are in 12.00 g?
12.00 g x 1u x 1 atom C = 6.02 x 1023 atoms
1.66x10-24 g 12.00 u
Calculating Average Atomic Mass
Is a WEIGHTED atomic mass of all the isotopes of that element.
Formula:
(% as decimal)(mass) + (% as decimal)(mass) + (% as
decimal)(mass) + … = average atomic mass
1. Calculate the atomic mass of neon. The three neon
isotopes have atomic masses and relative abundance
of 19.992 u (% abundance = 90.48), 20.994 u (%
abundance = 0.27), and 21.991 u (% abundance =
9.25).
2. Calculate the average atomic mass of chromium:
4.35% 49.946 u
83.79% 51.941 u
9.50% 52.941 u
x 53.939 u
1. Calculate the atomic mass of neon. The three neon isotopes
have atomic masses and relative abundance of 19.992 u (%
abundance = 90.48), 20.994 u (% abundance = 0.27), and
21.991 u (% abundance = 9.25).
(0.9048)(19.992) + (0.0027)(20.994) + (0.0925)(21.991) = 20.180
2. Calculate the average atomic mass of chromium:
4.35% 49.946 u
83.79% 51.941 u
9.50% 52.941 u
x 53.939 u x = 2.36%
(0.0435)(49.946) + (0.8379)(51.941) + (0.0950)(52.941) + (0.0236)(53.939)
= 51.996 u
Here’s another one to try:
An element consists of 1.40% of an isotope with
mass 203.973 u, 24.10% of an isotope with mass
205.9745 u, 22.10% of an isotope with mass
206.9759 u, and 52.40% of an isotope with mass
of 207.9766 u. Calculate the average atomic mass
and identify the element.
Here’s another one to try:
An element consists of 1.40% of an isotope with
mass 203.973 u, 24.10% of an isotope with mass
205.9745 u, 22.10% of an isotope with mass
206.9759 u, and 52.40% of an isotope with mass
of 207.9766 u. Calculate the average atomic mass
and identify the element.
(0.0140)(203.973) + (0.2410)(205.9745) + (0.2210)(206.9759) + (0.5240)(207.9766)
= 207.217 u → Pb
Gallium has two isotopes, Gallium-69 (with a mass of
68.925581 u) and Gallium-71 (with a mass of 70.92705 u).
According to the periodic table, Gallium’s average atomic
mass is 69.723 u. Calculate the percent abundance of each
of the two isotopes.
Gallium has two isotopes, Gallium-69 (with a mass of
68.925581 u) and Gallium-71 (with a mass of 70.92705 u).
According to the periodic table, Gallium’s average atomic
mass is 69.723 u. Calculate the percent abundance of each
of the two isotopes.
x(68.925581) + (1-x)(70.92705) = 69.723
