TAKE A …. GUIDED NOTES PAGE ATOMIC MASS W.S. ….OFF MY DESK
Average atomic mass How we get those weird decimal numbers on the periodic table
Whole numbers If protons and neutrons weigh 1 amu each, why is the atomic mass on the periodic table a decimal number? Answer: The atomic weights given on your table are “weighted averages” of the different isotopes of that element.
Quick review of percentages A percentage is equal to that number divided by 100. So, 25% = 25/100 When you divide a number by 100, just move the decimal point two places to the left. Ex. 25% =.25 30% =.30 2% = _____ 1.25% = ______.05% = _______ 125% = ________
Example of how to find the average atomic mass Let’s say that Rb has two isotopes, Rb-85 and Rb % of all Rubidium is Rb % of all Rb is Rb-87. What is the atomic mass of Rb? Answer: 0.72 x 85 amu= x 87 amu = Next add the two numbers you get together: ( = 85.56) **This is slightly different than what you will see on the periodic table because I rounded the percentages a bit
Example 2: 92.5 % of all Lithium atoms are Li % are Li-6. What is the average atomic mass?.925 x 7 amu = x 6 amu= amu