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3U Isotopes
What are Isotopes?
As you will recall, ions are atoms that are either missing or have extra electrons . An atom that is missing a
neutron or has an extra neutron is called an isotope . Just as an atom is s ll the same element if it is missing an
electron, an isotope is the same element and simply differs from other atoms of the same element.
For example, most carbon atoms in the Universe are in the form of carbon‑12*, with 6 neutrons. Carbon‑14
has 8 neutrons and is considered an isotope of the element carbon.
*Note: The number 12 refers to the mass number (which is the number of protons plus neutrons in the
nucleus of an atom)
The Discovery and Use of Isotopes
To learn more about isotopes, including how they were discovered and how they can be used, view the video
tled “What Are Isotopes” ( h ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyviEsmrVp0 ). Take jot notes using the
template provided. When the video has finished, return to the lesson.
Atomic Mass
The atomic mass of an element, as wri en on a periodic table, in typically not a whole number. Atomic
masses are calculated based on the rela ve amounts of each type of atom and isotopes of the atoms that exist
in the Universe. For example, carbon largely exists as carbon‑12 with smaller amounts of the carbon‑13 and
carbon‑14 isotopes making up the remainder. When all of the masses are averaged out, the number that is
determined, called the average atomic mass is 12.011 amu (atomic mass units).
Isotope Calcula ons
The average atomic mass for an element can be determined using the following equa on:
A.A.M.= [(abundance of isotope 1 X A.M. of isotope 1)+ (abundance of isotope 2 X A.M of isotope 2)...]
A.A.M. = average atomic mass
A.M. = atomic mass
Consider the following sample problems:
Sample Problem #1
Tes ng of a sample of lithium reveals that the sample is made up of 92.58% lithium ‑ 7 and 7.42% lithium ‑
6. What is the average atomic mass of lithium?
Solu on:
Step #1 – Convert percentages to decimals 92.58 / 100 = 0.9258 7.42 / 100 = 0.0742
Step #2 – Subs tute values into equa on A.A.M . = [(.9258) (7) + (.0742) (6)]
Step #3 – Solve A.A.M. = 6.9258 amu (atomic mass units)
Sample Problem #2
Calcula ng isotopic abundance: Vanadium (50.9415 amu) has two natural isotopes, V‑ 50 and V‑51.
Calculate the abundance of each isotope.
Solu on:
Step #1 – Let “x” represent the abundance of the first isotope and “1‑x” represent the abundance of the
second isotope (as x + 1‑x = 1.00 or 100%).
Step #2 – Subs tute values into equa on and solve for x.
−
50.9415 amu = [(x) (50) + (1 x)(51) ]
−
50.9415 = 50x + 51 51x
− −
50.9415 51 = 50x 51x (isolate “x”)
−0.0585 = −1x (divide by “‑1”)
−1 −1
X = 0.058
Step #3 – Convert decimals to percentages
x = 0.058 x 100% , therefore the abundance of V‑50 is 5.8% and the abundance of V‑51 is 94.15%
You Try!
Chlorine is made up of two isotopes, Cl‑35 (34.969 amu) and Cl‑37 (36.966 amu). Given that chlorine has an
atomic weight of 35.453 amu, what is the percent abundance of each isotope?
Check you answer and then complete the Isotope Problem Set.