Question

The planet Gallifrey has two naturally occurring isotopes of chlorine. Chlorine-35 has an isotopic abundance of 45.89% and a mass of 34.9689 amu. Chlorine-37 has an isotopic abundance of 54.11% and a mass of 36.9659 amu.

Calculate the average atomic mass of chlorine on planet Gallifrey.

Answer 1

36.05 amu

Step-by-step explanation:

Given data

Isotope Mass (m) Abundance (ab)

³⁵Cl 34.9689 amu 45.89% (0.4589)

³⁷Cl 36.9659 amu 54.11% (0.5411)

We can calculate the average atomic mass (am) of chlorine on planet Gallifrey using the following expression.

am = ∑ mi × abi

am = 34.9689 amu × 0.4589 + 36.9659 amu × 0.5411

am = 36.05 amu