Average Atomic Mass
How much does an atom weigh? Protons & Neutrons: 1.67 X gram Electrons: 9.10 X gram To avoid working with these really small numbers, scientists have developed the atomic mass scale.
What is an a.m.u.? atomic mass unit amu 1/12 the mass of the C-12 atom. C-12 is used as the reference for atomic masses. This is the STANDARD.
Atomic Weight or Mass Atomic mass is relative. C-12 is the standard. 1 atom of C-12 has a mass of exactly … atomic mass units. So all the atoms are compared to C-12.
Average Atomic Mass The atomic masses reported in the periodic table represent the weighted average of the masses of the naturally occurring isotopes of that element.
Weighted Avg. of Test Grades Suppose you have 1 test of 60% and 14 tests of 90%. What if I said your avg. was 75? = 150. Divide by 2 = 75. Would you be happy?
NO! The long way to do this problem: ( ) 15 Avg. = 88. You like this a lot better!
The smart way to do this problem! 14 out of 15 is 93.3% 1 out of 15 is 6.7% So 93.3% of the test grades are 90. 6.7% of the test grades are 60. .933 X X 60 = Avg. = 88
This is an even smarter way to calculate the average if you have lots of items to average.
Method of Weighted Averages Convert % to decimal format. (Divide by 100%.) Multiply each isotope’s abundance factor by its atomic mass Sum.
Avg. Atomic Mass of Chlorine Percent Abundance Mass Isotope %35 amu Isotope %37 amu Chlorine has two isotopes.
Avg. Atomic Mass of Chlorine = (.75) (35 amu) + (.25) (37 amu) (.25) (37 amu) = amu amu = 35.5 amu Convert percents to decimals. Multiply by appropriate mass. Sum
Avg. Atomic Mass of Chlorine To estimate the answer: 75% Cl is 35 and 25% Cl is 37. The final answer has to be between 35 and 37, but closer to 35. 35.5 amu
Avg. Atomic Mass of Si 92.21% of Si has a mass of % of Si has a mass of % of Si has a mass of 30
Avg. Atomic Mass of Si.9221 X 28 X 28 X 29 X 29 X 30 X 30
Check your work! Answer has to be between high & low. Answer has to be closest to 28. Answer is
Avg. Atomic Mass of Pb 1.5% Pb-204. .015 X 204 : % Pb-206. .236 X 206 : % Pb-207. .226 X 207 : % Pb-208. .523 X 208 :