asked 226k views
5 votes
The two naturally occuring isotopes of chlorine are 35cl and 37cl. based on the average atomic mass of cl (35.5 amu), what is the approximate natural abundance of 35cl?

asked
User Celerno
by
8.5k points

1 Answer

2 votes
average atomic mass is the weighted average atomic mass of the isotopes relative to their natural abundance
following formula can be used for average atomic mass of Cl
average atomic mass of Cl -( % of 35-Cl x 35 amu )+ (% of 37-Cl x 37 amu)
assuming percentage abundance of 35-Cl to be x and percentage abundance of 37-Cl is then (100-x)
average atomic mass of Cl - (35 * x%) + (37 x (100-x)%)
35.5 = 0.35x + 37 - 0.37x
0.02x = 1.5
x = 75%
therefore relative abundance of 35-Cl is 75%
answered
User Swissonid
by
8.6k points
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