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Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions
Chapter 2, Problem 36

Rubidium has two naturally occurring isotopes, rubidium-85 (atomic mass = 84.9118 amu; abundance = 72.15%) and rubidium-87 (atomic mass = 86.9092 amu; abundance = 27.85%). Calculate the atomic weight of rubidium

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Isotopes

Isotopes are variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different atomic masses. For example, rubidium has two isotopes: rubidium-85 and rubidium-87. Understanding isotopes is crucial for calculating the average atomic weight of an element based on the relative abundances of its isotopes.
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Atomic Weight Calculation

The atomic weight of an element is calculated by taking the weighted average of the atomic masses of its isotopes, considering their relative abundances. This involves multiplying the atomic mass of each isotope by its percentage abundance (expressed as a fraction) and summing these values. This concept is essential for determining the overall atomic weight of rubidium in this question.
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Percentage Abundance

Percentage abundance refers to the proportion of each isotope of an element present in a natural sample, expressed as a percentage. In the case of rubidium, the abundances of rubidium-85 and rubidium-87 are 72.15% and 27.85%, respectively. This information is vital for accurately calculating the atomic weight, as it directly influences the contribution of each isotope to the final average.
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