Question

Using Döbereiner’s triadic relationship, calculate the mass of Ge based on values in the modern periodic table. Express your answer in atomic mass units to four significant figures.

a) 70.90 u
b) 72.63 u
c) 74.92 u
d) 76.94 u

Answer 1

Using Döbereiner’s triadic relationship, the mass of Germanium (Ge) is calculated to be 73.40 u when expressed to four significant figures, which is approximately the average of its adjacent elements in the periodic table: Silicon (Si) and Tin (Sn).

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks to calculate the mass of Germanium (Ge) using Döbereiner’s law of triads. Döbereiner's triadic relationship suggests that the atomic mass of the middle element in a triad is approximately the average of the other two. Silicon (Si) and Tin (Sn) are the elements adjacent to Germanium (Ge) in the same group of the periodic table, and they are often used as reference points for this calculation since Döbereiner’s triad groups were organized by similar chemical properties and increasing atomic weight.

The modern atomic masses of Silicon (Si) and Tin (Sn) are approximately 28.085 u and 118.710 u, respectively. Therefore, to find the atomic mass of Germanium (Ge), we would calculate the average of these two masses:

(28.085 u + 118.710 u) / 2 = 73.3975 u

Expressed to four significant figures, the mass of Ge is calculated as 73.40 u. This value is a theoretical one based on Döbereiner’s law compared to the actual accepted value of Germanium's atomic mass found in the periodic table. For exam or test purposes, the correct answer would have to be matched to the closest option provided.