Question

The average atomic mass of Cl is 35.5. The percentage of Cl-35 and Cl-37 is x and y respectively. The value of x and y respectively is:

a. 50%, 50%
b. 75%, 25%
c. 35%, 65%
d. 65%, 35%

Answer 1

To find the percent abundances of chlorine-35 and chlorine-37, we can set up an equation using the average atomic mass of chlorine and the masses of the isotopes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The average atomic mass of chlorine can be calculated using the percent abundances and masses of its two isotopes, chlorine-35 and chlorine-37. Let x represent the percent abundance of chlorine-35 and y represent the percent abundance of chlorine-37.

The average atomic mass of chlorine is given as 35.5. Using this information, we can set up the equation:
(x/100) * 34.969 + (y/100) * 36.966 = 35.5

From the given data, we know that x + y = 100. We can solve these two equations simultaneously to find the values of x and y.