Chapter 2, Problem 2.49P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The percent abundance of each isotope of chlorine is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Isotopes are atoms with the same atomic number but a different mass number. The difference in the mass numbers of isotopes arises due to the difference in the number of neutrons in them. The mass number of an atom is the sum of the protons and neutrons in them. The number of protons of isotopes is the same but the neutron number varies. Due to the same number of protons in the isotopes, they occupy the same position in the periodic table.

The general formula to calculate the atomic mass of an element is as follows:

$\text{Atomic mass }={\displaystyle \sum \left(\text{isotopic mass}\right)\left(\text{Fractional abundance}\text{of}\text{the isotope}\right)}$