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An element has two stable isotopes. One

has a mass of 106.91 amu and is
51.839% abundant. The second has a
mass of 108.90 amu and is 48.161%
abundant.
What is the identity of this element?
1. Silver 2. Sodium
3. Oxygen 4. Fluoride
Enter the answer choice number.

User Tameca
by
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1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

The identity of the element can be determined by comparing the atomic masses of the known isotopes with the atomic masses of the elements listed in the answer choices.

The weighted average atomic mass of the element can be calculated as follows:

(0.51839 × 106.91 amu) + (0.48161 × 108.90 amu) = 107.87 amu

The closest match to this atomic mass is option 1, Silver. The atomic number of silver is 47, which means it has 47 protons in its nucleus. The two stable isotopes of silver are ^107Ag and ^109Ag, which have atomic masses of 106.905 amu and 108.905 amu, respectively. The given atomic masses of the isotopes in the question are not exact matches to the known isotopes of silver, but they are close enough to identify the element as silver.

Therefore, the answer is 1. Silver.

User STT LCU
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