Chapter 4, Problem 106A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

After analyzing a mixture, the three isotopes of magnesium needs to be determined. The ratio needs to be compared after analyzing different mineral containing magnesium. Concept introduction:

Magnesium is a metal extracted from different forms of minerals that are present in nature. The isotopes and their natural abundances always remain the same irrespective of the place or the kind if mineral it is getting extracted.

Answer to Problem 106A

Yes, both samples will have the same relative abundances for each magnesium isotope as the isotopic abundances of an element doesn’t changes with the change in the place from where the metal is extracted.

Explanation of Solution

Magnesium constitutes $2\%$ of Earth’s Crust and has three naturally occurring isotopes. If one analyses a mineral, one can determine that it contains the three isotopes in the following proportions:

$Mg-24$ $(abundance=79\%)$

$Mg-25$ $(abundance=10\%)$

$Mg-26$ $(abundance=11\%)$

And if different mineral containing magnesium is analyzed, then yes, the same relative abundances for each magnesium isotope is obtained. Because the isotopic abundances of an element don’t change with the change in the place from where the metal is extracted. So, from wherever you extract the metal, its natural abundance for the particular isotope will always be same.

Conclusion

As the isotopic abundances of an element doesn’t change with the change in the place from where the metal is extracted. Therefore, the same relative abundances for each magnesium isotope will be obtained even if extracted from different mineral of magnesium.