A question about the element Neon

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dreaaaa14
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A question about the element Neon

Post by dreaaaa14 »

How do you calculate the average atomic mass for neon if its abundance in nature is 90.5% neon-20, 0.3% neon-21, and 9.2% neon-22?
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deleted-71417
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Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:24 am

Re: A question about the element Neon

Post by deleted-71417 »

Hi,

To calculate the atomic weight you form the sum of mole fractions of isotope times isotopic mass:

20.18=20*0.905+21*0.003+22*0.092

To be more accurate you must use the exact isotopic weights of each isotope, which are not exactly 20,21 and 22., plus there are other isotopes as well.

Best regards,

Barrett L. Tomlinson
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