Question

The atomic mass of Calcium is 40.078 amu. Calcium has 5 isotopes: Calcium-40, Calcium-42, Calcium-43, Calcium-44, and Calcium-46. Based on the atomic mass, which of the isotopes is the most abundant? Why?

a) Calcium-40 is the most abundant isotope because its mass is closest to the atomic mass.
b) Calcium-44 is the most abundant isotope because it has the highest mass.
c) Calcium-42 is the most abundant isotope because it is the second-lightest isotope.
d) Calcium-43 is the most abundant isotope because it has the highest atomic number.

Answer 1

Calcium-40 is the most abundant isotope because its mass is closest to the atomic mass of Calcium.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most abundant isotope of Calcium can be determined by comparing the atomic mass of each isotope with the average atomic mass of Calcium. In this case, the most abundant isotope is Calcium-40 because its mass is closest to the atomic mass of Calcium. The weighted average atomic mass of Calcium is 40.078 amu, and Calcium-40 has a mass of 40 amu, which is the closest to the average.