64.6k views
1 vote
How are an element's abundance in nature and percent composition related?

a) Abundance = Percent Composition × Atomic Mass
b) Percent Composition = Abundance × Atomic Mass
c) Abundance = Percent Composition ÷ Atomic Mass
d) Percent Composition = Abundance ÷ Atomic Mass

User Zechariah
by
7.8k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The abundance of an element in nature and its percent composition are related by the equation: Abundance = Percent Composition ÷ Atomic Mass.

Step-by-step explanation:

The abundance of an element in nature and its percent composition are related by the equation: Abundance = Percent Composition ÷ Atomic Mass.

For example, let's consider carbon. Naturally occurring carbon is largely a mixture of two isotopes: 98.89% ¹²C (mass 12 amu) and 1.11% 13C (mass 13.003355 amu). The percent composition of ¹²C in carbon is 98.89%. To calculate the abundance of ¹²C, we divide the percent composition by its atomic mass: 98.89 ÷ 12 = 8.24. This means that ¹²C makes up approximately 8.24% of the naturally occurring carbon.

So, the correct answer to your question is d) Percent Composition = Abundance ÷ Atomic Mass.

User Daan Klijn
by
6.9k points