Question
There are two naturally occurring isotopes of copper. 63Cu has a mass of 62.9296 amu. 65Cu has a mass of 64.9278 amu. Determine the abundance of each isotope.
Answers
bobpursley
You need the average atomic mass, looking at the periodic table, I see 63.546 amu.
average=Isotope1*percent1 + Isotope2*percent2
if you assume only two isotopes, then Isotope2 is 1-percent1
63.546=64.9278(percent65Cu)+62.9296(1-percent65Cu)
solve for the decimal percent of 65Cu.
average=Isotope1*percent1 + Isotope2*percent2
if you assume only two isotopes, then Isotope2 is 1-percent1
63.546=64.9278(percent65Cu)+62.9296(1-percent65Cu)
solve for the decimal percent of 65Cu.