Define weighted average and average in Chemistry and explain the difference between the two.

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter3: Stoichiometry
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 43E: The element europium exists in nature as two isotopes: 151Eu has a mass of 150.9196 u and 153Eu has...
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Define weighted average and average in Chemistry and explain the difference between the two.
To find the average atomic mass of neon, we will use the equation above and take the abundance of the
first isotope times the mass of the first isotope plus the abundance of the second isotope times the mass
of the second isotope plus the abundance of the third isotope times the mass of the third isotope.
However, you might recall from your math courses that when you use a percentage in a calculation you
always want to use the decimal form, meaning you must first divide the percentage by 100. The equation
would then look like:
= (0.9048 x 19.9924 amu) + (0.0027 x 20.9938 amu) + (0.0925 x 21.9914 amu)
0.0516 amu
2.034 amu
=
18.089 amu
= 20.18 amu
+
+
Transcribed Image Text:To find the average atomic mass of neon, we will use the equation above and take the abundance of the first isotope times the mass of the first isotope plus the abundance of the second isotope times the mass of the second isotope plus the abundance of the third isotope times the mass of the third isotope. However, you might recall from your math courses that when you use a percentage in a calculation you always want to use the decimal form, meaning you must first divide the percentage by 100. The equation would then look like: = (0.9048 x 19.9924 amu) + (0.0027 x 20.9938 amu) + (0.0925 x 21.9914 amu) 0.0516 amu 2.034 amu = 18.089 amu = 20.18 amu + +
Since the abundances are not equal, we cannot do a typical simple average where we just add them u
and divide by two. Instead, we need to perform a weighted average. The formula to calculate the
average atomic mass is:
average atomic mass=(relative abundance x mass of isotope)
Remember that is the symbol for sum. In other words, we will take the sum of the relative abundance
of each isotope multiplied by its mass.
Example
Neon has three naturally occurring isotopes.
Symbol
Ne-20
Ne-21
Ne-22
Mass Isotopic mass Percent natural
number (amu)
20
21
22
19.9924
20.9938
21.9914
abundance
90.48%
0.27%
...
Transcribed Image Text:Since the abundances are not equal, we cannot do a typical simple average where we just add them u and divide by two. Instead, we need to perform a weighted average. The formula to calculate the average atomic mass is: average atomic mass=(relative abundance x mass of isotope) Remember that is the symbol for sum. In other words, we will take the sum of the relative abundance of each isotope multiplied by its mass. Example Neon has three naturally occurring isotopes. Symbol Ne-20 Ne-21 Ne-22 Mass Isotopic mass Percent natural number (amu) 20 21 22 19.9924 20.9938 21.9914 abundance 90.48% 0.27% ...
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