Answer:
39.95amu
Explanation:
Given parameters:
Relative atomic mass of Ar-36 = 35.97amu abundance = 0.337%
Relative atomic mass of Ar-38 = 37.96amu abundance = 0.063%
Relative atomic mass of Ar-40 = 39.96amu abundance = 99.600%
Unkown:
Relative atomic mass of Ar = ?
Solution:
The relative atomic mass is the average mass of all the isotopes of an element. To solve for the average atomic mass, we use the expression below:
RAM = m₃₆α₃₆ + m₃₈α₃₈ + m₄₀α₄₀
where m is the mass of the isotope
α is the abundance of the isotope
RAM of Argon = ([tex]\frac{0.337}{100}[/tex] x 35.97) + ([tex]\frac{0.063}{100}[/tex] x 37.96) +([tex]\frac{99.6}{100}[/tex] x 39.96)
RAM of Argon = 39.95amu
