Name: ____________________________ Date:____________

Isotopes and Atomic Mass Lab Honors Chemistry

Purpose:
In this lab you will carry out experiments and perform the necessary calculations to determine the atomic mass
of the fictitious element Beanium. These experiments and calculations are equivalent to the way scientists
actually determine the atomic mass of elements. The three different isotopes of Beanium are beanium-
blackium, beanium- brownium, and beanium-whitium. As in real elements, the mixture of isotopes are collections
of atoms of the element each having different masses because they have different numbers of neutrons. Your
job will be to obtain a sample of Beanium with all three of its representative isotopes, and determine the
relative abundance of each isotope. From this data you will calculate the average mass of each isotope and the
weighted average atomic mass of the element Beanium. Unlike real isotopes, the individual isotopic particles of
Beanium differ slightly in mass, so you will determine the average mass of each type of isotopic particle. Then
you can calculate the "weighted average atomic mass" of Beanium.

Follow the procedure below:

Procedure:
1. Create a Lab Data Table. Be sure to read about the data you will be collecting in the paragraph above
2. Obtain a sample of the Beanium “atoms” in a zip lock bag from the front of the room.
3. Separate your beans by color.
4. Count the number of each color of bean. You can add all of these to obtain your total number of beans
(You will need the total to calculate percent abundance)
5. Find the average mass of each colored bean in your bag.
6. Place all the beans back in the container at the front of the room.
Data Table: Your data table should include only the data gathered in the lab. Please do not show any calculated
values here.
Calculations: Calculate each of the following for each “Isotope” of the Element Beanium. Include the heading
for each calculation. Calculations should be typed. SHOW ALL WORK!!
1. Average Mass of one bean: Include all 3 calculations here.

2. Percent Abundance: Divide the number of each isotope (color bean) by the total number of particles
(beans). Multiply this by 100 to get percent. Repeat for each color. This is the percent abundance.

3. Average Atomic Mass: Use the percent abundances and the average masses in the atomic mass
equation. Recall that it may be easier to set this up in table form as we looked at in class.

Questions: Answer each question in complete sentences. Your answers must be complete sentences and
typed! Include any appropriate calculations!

1. Your average atomic mass is closest to the average mass of which type of bean?
Blackium OR Brownium OR Whitium

How does this relate to its relative abundance?

2. Explain how these beans (“atoms”) are like isotopes.

a. What makes the 3 types of “atoms” similar to one another?

b. How are they different from one another?

c. What assumption was made by not weighing every “atom” in your sample?
3. Define these terms: a. mass number b. average atomic mass c. isotope
d universal mass unit (u or amu) e. mole (relate it to this lab!!)

4. Explain the difference between the mass number and the atomic mass. Why can these be confused
with each other?

5. Find the average atomic mass obtained by another lab group in this class. Include the group members and
their average. Why is it different from your average atomic mass?(make sure they had a different
lettered bag)

6. The element Chlorine has two isotopes. Cl-35 Percent Abundance = 76%; and Cl-37, Percent Abundance
24%. What is the weighted average atomic mass of the element Chlorine? Compare your answer to the
reported atomic mass for chlorine on your periodic table. SHOW CALCULATIONS!! Why is this method
of reporting average atomic mass not very accurate (think about the data given!!)?

Conclusion: Your conclusion should have three parts and be typed after the questions.

1. Restate the purpose of the lab

2. Explain briefly how you accomplished this purpose (this is not a procedure!!).

3. Make a final comment about what you learned from the lab.