Question

The elements I and Te have similar average atomic masses. A sample that was believed to be a mixture of I and Te was run through a mass spectrometer, resulting in the following data. All of the following statements are true. Which would be the best basis for concluding that the sample was pure Te? 100 1 501 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 m/z (A) Te forms ions with a -2 charge, whereas I forms ions with a -1 charge. (B) Te is more abundant than I in the universe (C) I consists of only one naturally occurring isotope with 74 neutrons, whereas Te has more than one isotope. (D) I has a higher first ionization energy that Te does

Answer 1

The best basis for concluding that the sample was pure Te is statement C: I consists of only one naturally occurring isotope with 74 neutrons, whereas Te has more than one isotope.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best basis for concluding that the sample was pure Te is statement C: I consists of only one naturally occurring isotope with 74 neutrons, whereas Te has more than one isotope.

Isotopes are different forms of the same element that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. Iodine (I) has only one naturally occurring isotope with 74 neutrons, whereas tellurium (Te) has multiple isotopes. By running the sample through a mass spectrometer, any presence of the different isotopes of tellurium would be detected, indicating if the sample was pure Te or a mixture of I and Te.